Watchdogs say that 'major improvement' is necessary at a County Durham fish and chip takeaway which was hit with a one-star hygiene rating in August.

Gills Takeaway on Front Street, Wingate, was awarded a very low rating by the Food Standards Agency in an inspection on August 16.

Following the inspection the takeaway will have been informed that a number of improvements need to be made urgently.

Here’s what each food hygiene rating means:

0 - Urgent Improvement Necessary

1 - Major Improvement Necessary

2 - Some Improvement Necessary

3 - Hygiene Standards Generally Satisfactory

4 - Hygiene Standards Good

5 - Hygiene Standards Very Good

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During its inspection, the fish and chip takeaway was inspected on its hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building as well as management of food safety.

Inspections are carried out around the country at any business handling food.

In the management of food safety, major improvement was necessary, improvement was also needed for cleanliness and hygienic food handling.