An Indian restaurant has been hit with a one-star food hygiene score after inspectors found raw chicken next to ice cubes used in customers’ drinks.

Officials uncovered a catalogue of serious issues at Rahman’s Golden Oven in Herne Bay, including dirty and rusty equipment, food being stored in the garden, watered-down soap and a complete disregard for food safety management.

While there, a gas engineer also had to be called out to fix a leak in the kitchen that had prompted the carbon monoxide alarm to sound during the visit.

Inspectors submitted their findings after visiting the Sea Street eatery on February 20, awarding it the second lowest rating.

Their report states that raw chicken was seen unwrapped in the kitchen next to ice cubes being used in drinks in the restaurant – leading to an increased risk of cross-contamination.

Other high-risk food such as rice was being left out at room temperature overnight in pans, with officers warning such practices needed to be stopped.

Chicken was also defrosted in a bucket of water at room temperature.

“I have concerns about allergy cross-contamination as all containers are dirty and allergens are not kept away from other foods,” said the inspector.

“Your allergy information is incomplete and inaccurate.”

Canterbury City Council’s comprehensive report also revealed the kitchen and dry store rooms were dirty, with rust a common occurrence within the business.

Both the inside and outside of fridges, as well as microwaves, were deemed grubby, with hand-contact surfaces described as “all dirty”.

The outside store freezer and one microwave had gone rusty, with council officers warning these must be replaced and not used in the meantime.

I have concerns about allergy cross-contamination as all containers are dirty and allergens are not kept away from other foods...

Officers added the outside bin needed to be kept clean as Rahman’s workers were forced to carry it through the restaurant to the front of the building.

The floors were found to be damaged with cracked tiles and there was bare concrete around the fridge.

Even the doors needed to be repaired and kept clean, with officials pointing out at least one door on the premises was “not pest-proof”.

Bleach products instead of sanitiser were being used in the kitchen, while staff also neglected to wear protective clothing while working.

The outside storage area to the rear of the property was being used to keep food, leading to an open bucket of onions being effectively left in the garden.

Inspectors told bosses at Rahman’s: “The premises is not clean.

“Your handwash basin must be kept clean, the taps are dirty. The liquid soap is watered down.

“Stock control must improve. There is a lot of food in containers with no dates, damaged containers are being used.

“You have no documented food safety system. You have no records to show you are checking that your fridges are working correctly.”

A deep-clean was ordered by council bosses, though the business was free to remain open while it fixed the issues.

Rahman’s Golden Oven, which has a 4.6-star rating on JustEat, told KentOnline: “It’s something I’ve been working hard to fix, we’ve upgraded and updated in line with what the council have said.

“I’ve spent £5,000 getting new equipment and training staff – the chef who had neglected some of the things they should have done has been let go.

“It's improved and I’m hoping the council comes down next week to give us a new score.”