A Chinese takeaway given a poor hygiene rating after inspectors discovered mould, flies and staff playing card games has made improvements.

Ho Ho in Bouverie Road West, Folkestone, was issued a one-star score in August - the lowest possible and its second in the space of 12 months.

But now bosses have fixed up the takeaway enough to earn three stars and apologised to their customers.

Owner Liang Yu told KentOnline: “We are so sorry for this.

“We were not doing very well last time, but we have tried our best this time around.

“We have corrected everything and made sure it is safe for every customer.”

The takeaway was first given a one-star score in September last year, but following a reinspection the month after upped it to three.

However, when inspectors visited again in August this year they had no choice but to drop the rating again.

They found a mouldy and scored chopping board, which has now been replaced.

They also discovered food being stored dangerously, including cooked noodles in exposed crates and other ingredients in open containers by an open window.

Mrs Yu says they have addressed the issue and are keeping everything in the fridge.

Flies were also found - a problem she says has been combatted by a fly cover over the basement door and fixing windows.

The business owner continued: “We have done cleaning and painting and have new electrics.

“Socialising and playing cards in the basement has stopped.”

Previously, the inspector stated in his report: “At the time of our visit, women and children were eating a meal in the food preparation area and children were observed playing in the vicinity of the bins in the yard outside and coming back in.

“Furthermore, there were games (e.g. cards and Mahjong) as well as magazines and evidence of smoking in this food preparation area which suggests this is being used for social purposes by non-food handlers.”

Mrs Yu states part of the reason standards slipped was a language barrier when communicating with the inspectors.

She explained: “We didn't get it very clearly because sometimes the chef can’t understand English.

“This time the chef found a friend who spoke better English to help solve this problem.”