Health inspectors have scoured the county to find the 15 Kent food outlets that need the most urgent hygiene improvements.

From mouldy food to dirty surfaces or even mouse or cockroach infestations - inspectors can list several reasons for giving restaurants or takeaways a zero food hygiene rating.

In some cases sewage is even found in the food preparation areas, which can be hazardous to health.

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Kent's zero rated food outlets, according to the Food Standards Agency on Wednesday, May 25 (scroll down for list)

However, some outlets can score zero stars on technicalities such as a temporary broken boiler, and have to wait until their next inspection before they can improve their rating.

The restaurants and takeaways on this list scored zero out of five for food hygiene on their last published inspection. The list also covers schools, clubs and some shops.

A zero star rating indicates "urgent improvement is necessary’" and inspectors have the power to close down a business if they think there is an immediate risk to the public.

VIDEO: Reporter Josie Hannett visits a zero rated takeaway in Dover

When they visit a food outlet, inspectors look at three areas: the hygiene of the food, the cleanliness of work surfaces and appliances, and how well management keeps cleaning records and acts on criticism.

The Food Standards Agency, which oversees the national food hygiene rating scheme, says outlets with a zero rating are likely to have scored badly against all three criteria.

David Brown, leader of the food inspection team at Medway Council, described some of the things that would warrant a zero star rating.

"You might have a serious pest control problem, or a drainage problem - staff can't wash their hands properly for example.

"Or in some cases you find sewage coming into food preparation areas, which is a serious health concern."

He also warned that appearances may be deceptive.

"You can't always judge a book by its cover. Sometimes the outside looks grotty but the kitchen might be immaculate. Sometimes the reverse is true."

The good news is the number of zero-star ratings is down more than 25% on last year, which saw 22 outlets score nothing.

However, dozens of food outlets across Kent and Medway have scored just one star out of five, which still raises serious concern over cleanliness.

A one star rating means 'major improvement necessary' according to the Food Standards Agency, indicating the business has performed badly against the three inspection criteria.

But even including the one star ratings, the list is just a tiny proportion of the 10,729 food outlets in the county, 94% of which have three stars or above, according to the Food Standards Agency.

And generally speaking, standards have never been higher, according to Mr Brown.

He said: "Businesses look at competitors and if a similar outlet has a four or five star rating that is a serious driver to improvement.

"Consumers are also increasingly aware of the rating system, and increasingly are asking questions and voting with their feet."

Local authorities are responsible for monitoring food safety standards, and most premises are visited once a year, or more regularly if a problem has been identified.

So we've looked at the places you probably don't want to eat at, now check out our pick of the best 45 restaurants in Kent.

Cliftonville Primary School in Margate will be one of the outlets aggrieved to find itself on the zero star list.

Headteacher Jane Troth said the rating related solely to issues with a faulty boiler, which supplied hot water to the kitchen.

She added: "Thanet District Council agreed to food preparation continuing with temporary measures put in place to provide hot water.

"Kent County Council is in the process of installing a new boiler and the school is confident the previously awarded rating of five will be given on re-inspection."

Kent's zero star food outlets

ABZ Batchelor St, Chatham. Last inspection: 18 Jan 2016

ATRIUM RESTAURANT & BAR High Street, Rochester. Last inspection: 11 February 2016

AYLESFORD PRIORY High St, Aylesford. Last inspection: 23 October 2015

DOVER KEBAB HOUSE King Street, Dover. Last inspection: 9 May 2016

FORGE HOUSE RESTAURANT High Street, Otford. Last inspection: 11 March 2016

GLENTWORTH CLUB Lowfield Street, Dartford. Last inspection: 11 December 2015

KENT & SURREY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Crouch House Rd, Edenbridge. Last inspection: 29 June 2015

PAPA PIZZA High Street, Dover. Last inspection: 23 March 2016

SAPRANOS London Road, Southborough. Last inspection: 14 April 2016

SOMBREROS Canterbury Road, Margate. Last inspection: 20 January 2016

SPA HOTEL Langton Rd, Tunbridge Wells. Last inspection: 28 April 2016

THAI MARKET High Street, Rochester. Last inspection: 25 February 2016

THE LION OF KENT Ashford Road, Bearsted. Last inspection: 11 April 2016

THE PLOUGH Sutton Road, Langley. Last inspection: 11 February 2016

WINDMILL CAFE Cheriton Road, Folkestone. Last inspection: 13 October 2015

Kent's one star food outlets

ABBOTS FIRESIDE HIGH STREET, Elham CT4 6TD. Last inspection: 20 April 2016
ADELAIDE FARM CAFE, Sandwich Rd, Hacklinge CT14 0AT. Last inspection: 18 August 2015
ASHFORD CAFE, 20 Bank St, Ashford TN23 1BE. Last inspection: 20 April 2016
BEANO KEBABS, 141 High St, Broadstairs CT10 1NG. Last inspection: 25 January 2016
BELLS FISH BAR, 58 Maidstone Rd, Paddock Wood TN12 6AF. Last inspection: 9 March 2015
BOBS HOT DOGS & BURGERS, Biggin St, Dover CT16 1BB. Last inspection: 14 March 2016
BRASSERIE ON THE BAY PRINCES GOLF CLUB & THE LODGE, Sandwich Bay CT13 9QB. Last inspection: 2 October 2015
BRITISH RAJ, 25 High Street, Sittingbourne ME10 4AY. Last inspection: 11 February 2016
CALCUTTA CLUB POLHILL, Halstead, Sevenoaks TN14 7AA. Last inspection: 28 July 2015
CAMDEN QUARTER, 28 Camden Road Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent. Last inspection: TN1 2PT 10 March 2016
CASTLE INN RUSSELL ST, Dover CT16 1PY. Last inspection: 25 November 2015
CINNAMON ISLAND, 1 Cambridge Terrace, Dover CT16 1JT. Last inspection: 24 February 2016
CODFATHER, 61A Courtenay Rd, Maidstone ME15 6UW. Last inspection: 30 June 2015
CROSS KEYS, 236 St Johns Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN4 9XD. Last inspection: 16 June 2015
DEAL SHELLFISH STALL, Beach St, Deal CT14 6HY. Last inspection: 30 June 2015
DELHI CLUB, 73 Station Rd, Longfield DA3 7QA. Last inspection: 23 March 2016
DENTON FISH BAR, 3 East Milton Rd, Gravesend DA12 2JL. Last inspection: 23 July 2015
DIAL-A-PIZZA, 116 High St, Deal CT14 6BB. Last inspection: 12 November 2015
DOVER WORKING MAN'S CLUB, Jasper House, London Rd, Dover CT17 0SZ. Last inspection: 2 November 2015
FISHERMANS WHARF RESTAURANT, Sandwich CT13 9RU 17. Last inspection: November 2015
FRIENDLY HSE CHINESE TAKEAWAY, 28 Cambourne Avenue, Westgate On Sea CT8 8NA. Last inspection: 15 October 2015
FRYDAYS FISH & CHIPS, 9 Minster Rd Minster-on-Sea ME12 3JD. Last inspection: 4 February 2016
GERRY'S COFFEE & ART HOUSE, 17 Albert Court, York St, Ramsgate. Last inspection: CT11 9DN 17 June 2015
GREGGS, 27 Westwood Cross Margate Rd Broadstairs CT10 2BF. Last inspection: 9 February 2016
GROVE VILLA, 28 Mill Rd, Deal CT14 9AD. Last inspection: 9 December 2015
ITALIA MIA, 2 Church Walk, East Malling, ME19 6AG. Last inspection: 16 September 2015
KINGS HEAD, 8 King St, Gravesend DA12 2EB. Last inspection: 17 November 2015
KUKU FRANGOS, 6 East Hill, Dartford. Last inspection: 19 November 2015
LA PIZZERIA, 20 East St, Sittingbourne ME10 4RT. Last inspection: 26 May 2015
LASHINGS, 81 Upper Stone St, Maidstone. Last inspection: 21 December 2015
LIMEHOUSE THAI RESTAURANT, 327 High St, Rochester ME1. Last inspection: 1DA. Last inspection: 8 October 2015
LUCKY DRAGON, 188 Rochester Rd, Gravesend DA12 4TY 27 November 2015
MAGIC WOK TAKEAWAY, 173 East St, Sittingbourne ME10 4BT. Last inspection: 8 February 2016
MARIO'S, 10 East St ,Sittingbourne ME10 4RT. Last inspection: 16 December 2015
MARMARIS KEBAB & PIZZA HOUSE, 1 South St, Deal CT14 7AW. Last inspection: 22 January 2015
MERRY CHEST CAFE, Watling St, Bean DA2 8AH. Last inspection: 17 December 2015
MILANO'S PIZZA & KEBAB, 34 High St, Maidstone ME14 1JH 17. Last inspection: September 2015
MINT LEAF LOUNGE, London Rd, Tonge ME9 9PS. Last inspection: 31 March 2015
NEW HONG KONG KITCHEN, 234 Beaver Rd, Ashford TN23 7SW. Last inspection: 25 November 2015
NICOLAS KITCHEN, 35 The Promenade, Leysdown ME12 4PX 15. Last inspection: October 2014
OCEAN 2, 4 Grove Hill Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RZ. Last inspection: 21 September 2015
OLD PRINCE OF WALES, 12 New St, Ashford TN24 8UU. Last inspection: 23 December 2015
OLIVIERS THE PATIO, Beach St, Folkestone. Last inspection: 14 July 2014
PAPPS FISH BAR, 1 Belgrave Rd, Margate CT9 1XG. Last inspection: 19 January 2016
PIECE OF CAKE, 28 Strand St, Sandwich CT13 9DS. Last inspection: 16 October 2015
PIZZA & KEBAB, 66 Leysdown Rd, Leysdown ME12 4RE. Last inspection: 1 March 2016
PIZZA GO GO/CHINA GO GO, 310 Tonbridge Rd, Maidstone ME16 8TG 10. Last inspection: February 2016
POND VIEW CAFE BREDGAR FARM SHOP, The Street, Bredgar ME9 8EX. Last inspection: 3 March 2015
PRINCE OF INDIA, 23 Risborough Lane, Folkestone CT19 4JH 11. Last inspection: September 2015
RAJ BARI, 6 Tubs Hill Parade, London Rd, Sevenoaks TN13 1DH. Last inspection: 3 February 2016
REAL SPICE, Unit 2, Jetty Rd, Warden ME12 4NF. Last inspection: 3 May 2016
ROSE & CROWN, Otford Lane, Halstead TN14 7EA 18. Last inspection: November 2015
SEEAFEDO, 18 Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XJ. Last inspection: 14 July 2015
SHEPPEY CLUB SNACK BAR, Isle Of Sheppey Holiday Village, Leysdown ME12 4LX. Last inspection: 30 July 2014
SHIPA TANDOORI, 113 Canterbury St, Gillingham ME7 5TS. Last inspection: 29 January 2016
SINGLETON TANDOORI, 1 The Singleton Centre, Hoxton Close, Singleton TN23 2GR. Last inspection: 7 October 2015
SITTINGBOURNE KEBAB HOUSE, 66 East St, Sittingbourne ME10 4RT. Last inspection: 26 January 2016
STONES GARDEN CENTRE, Halfway Rd, Minster-on-sea ME12 3AA. Last inspection: 1 May 2015
SUN PIER CHINESE TAKEAWAY, 20 High St, Chatham ME4 4EP. Last inspection: 25 March 2015
SUPER PIZZA, 59 Sandling Rd, Maidstone ME14 2RH. Last inspection: 22 February 2016
TANDOORI NIGHTS, 9 Torrington Rd Ashford TN23 7TF. Last inspection: 3 November 2015
THE CHAPEL, 44 Albion St, Broadstairs CT10 1NE. Last inspection: 25 February 2015
THE CLIPPER, 74 High St, Dartford DA1 1DE. Last inspection: 3 March 2016
THE COCK INN, Shoreham Lane, Halstead TN14. Last inspection: 7DD 8 February 2016
THE FISH INN, 30 Cambourne Avenue, Westgate On Sea CT8 8NA. Last inspection: 26 April 2016
THE FLYING HORSE, Wye Rd, Boughton Aluph TN25 4HH. Last inspection: 3 November 2015
THE FREEWHEEL, Head Hill Rd, Graveney ME13 9DE 15. Last inspection: December 2015
THE GEORGE & DRAGON, 29 High St, Headcorn TN27 9NL. Last inspection: 1 March 2016
THE GURKHA'S WAY, 57 Orion Rd, Rochester ME1 2UH. Last inspection: 23 July 2015
THE MOORINGS HOTEL, 97 Hitchen Hatch Lane, Sevenoaks TN13 3BE. Last inspection: 14 May 2015
THE PHOENIX, 12 Tufton St, Ashford TN23 1QP. Last inspection: 7 March 2016
THE QUEENS HEAD, High St, Sutton Valence ME17 3AG. Last inspection: 4 March 2016
THE SNAIL, Stone St ,Seal TN15 0LT. Last inspection: 10 February 2016
THE SWAN HOTEL & PUB, 59 High Street, Hythe CT21 5AD. Last inspection: 8 May 2014
THE TWO BREWERS, Maidstone Rd, Hadlow, Tonbridge TN11 0DN. Last inspection: 30 March 2016
THE WINDMILL, Windmill Rd, Sevenoaks Weald TN14 6PN. Last inspection: 5 February 2014
THE WOODMAN, Wheatsheaf Hill, Ide Hill TN14 6BU. Last inspection: 17 March 2016
THREE CRUTCHES PUBLIC HOUSE, Old Watling St, Gravesend ME2 3UG. Last inspection: 7 September 2015
TOM BELL FISH & CHIPS, Station Parade London Road Sevenoaks Kent TN13 1DL. Last inspection: 11 June 2015
TWIN DRAGON, 80 Canterbury Rd, Folkestone CT19 5NN. Last inspection: 20 October 2015
TWIN RESTAURANT & TAKEAWAY, 33 High St, Dover CT16 1EB. Last inspection: 31 March 2016
WAI YIN CHINESE TAKEAWAY, Maidstone Rd, Wateringbury ME18 5EH. Last inspection: 27 January 2016
WELCOME CHINESE, 11 Church St, Milton Regis, Sittingbourne ME10 2JZ. Last inspection: 30 March 2016
WIMPY, 33 High St, Dartford DA1 1DT. Last inspection: 16 October 2014
WOK KITCHEN CHINESE CUISINE, 40 Union St, Maidstone ME14 1ED. Last inspection: 2 March 2016

The ratings in this story are accurate based on the information available on the Food Standards Agency website at 6pm on Wednesday, May 25. Ratings may change as further inspections are carried out.