FAST-FOOD restaurants in Darlington say they have cleaned up their act after health inspectors found a number of venues had broken health regulations.

Dirty floors and rusty ceilings were found in some restaurants, along with cracked tiles and a fire extinguisher being used as a door stop.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, The Northern Echo obtained the most recent environmental health reports from all of Darlington's fast-food chain restaurants.

While some kitchens had no contraventions, others fared less well.

The inspection at Burger King, in the Cornmill Centre, carried out in September last year, found the walk-in fridge's temperature was 12C.

The maximum should be 8C.

The report said: "The air temperature was too high.

"Foods stored in the fridge are high-risk and will support the growth of food-poisoning bacteria and/or their toxins."

Inspectors also found a condenser unit leaking over boxed food, and dirty floors and walls.

McDonald's, in Northgate, inspected in January, had a rusty ceiling in the washingup area, dirty floors and walls, and a dirty freezer. Staff were also seen letting their ties dangle into food.

The McDonald's in Morton Park, inspected in June, had a cracked floor and dirty ceiling.

Pizza Hut, in Horsemarket, was inspected in March. The inspection team found dirty walls and ceilings, a damp wall in a storeroom, and fire extinguishers used as door stops.

Pizza Hut delivery, in Woodland Road, Subway, in Skinnergate, and KFC in Northgate and Darlington Retail Park were found to have only minor contraventions, or none at all.

All the restaurants criticised by inspectors have emphasised their commitment to hygiene.

A McDonald's spokesman said: "Health and safety is of paramount importance to us.

Immediately after both inspections took place, all areas were actioned.

"We are pleased to say this was confirmed on a follow-up visit by the environmental health team."

A Burger King spokeswoman said: "We take all health and safety scores extremely seriously, and can confirm the contraventions were immediately rectified.

"As a matter of priority, we continually check cold storage equipment to ensure it meets required standards."

A Pizza Hut spokesman confirmed its maintenance department had remedied the damp wall, and that walls and ceilings had been cleaned and redecorated where necessary.

It have also carried out health and safety refresher training with management and staff.

Darlington Borough Council's environmental health officers make routine inspections of restaurants every two to three years.