The reasons behind a major supermarket's low food hygiene rating have been revealed.

Morrisons superstore in Sutton Road, Maidstone, was slapped with a two out of five score following a recent inspection back in October.

Since then the retailer says it has made improvements but a freedom of information request from KentOnline has revealed the "greasy", "unclean" and "dirty" state of the supermarket.

Inspectors visited the site towards the end of last year and criticised the cleaning of its pizza and fish counters.

A report dated December 9 described an ice machine on the fish counter as having mould and algae on it.

It explained how metal colanders behind the pizza counter were "dirty" and gave the impression they "had not been washed".

Morrisons has acknowledged the poor conditions in-store but said it has since "resolved all issues" and was awaiting re-inspection.

Following the inspectors first visit back in October, officers labelled the level of cleaning at the supermarket's bakery as "unsatisfactory".

The pizza sealing machine and refrigerator used for pizza toppings were both unclean, they said.

The store's deli and pie counter were also criticised for not being clean enough and the store was told by the inspector it needs to improve.

Another major concern from the visit came from the rotisserie counter, where the extractor fan and filters were "in a greasy and dirty condition".

The report added: "The hot holding units behind the rotisserie counter were not clean.

"Thoroughly clean the hot holding units and maintain them in a clean condition. The outside of the ice machine behind the fresh fish counter was dirty and had green algae/mould on the side."

Inspectors also noted how the supermarket's café oven was dirty and required a thorough clean.

Regarding their confidence in management, the report said logbooks for the pizza counter and café were signed as being clean, despite "debris in the oven".

It added: "The weekly management checks in the logbook are being that they have checked the jobs have been done.

"However, they are only checking signatures in the book. Nobody is actually checking staff have completed jobs in the logbook."

But inspectors did return to the store last month and said they were "pleased to see the difference" on-site.

However, the store's food hygiene score still remains the same while the retailer waits for the council officer to revisit and re-score the supermarket.

The Food Standards Agency gives businesses a rating from five to zero which is displayed at their premises and online so customers can make more informed choices about where to buy and eat.

A Morrisons spokesman said: "Hygiene within our stores is really important to us.

"We have worked closely with the Maidstone store to address and resolve all issues raised during the inspection.

"All works has been completed and the environmental health officer has revisited and confirmed they are happy. We are in the process of arranging for a re-rating to be carried out."