Mouse droppings were found in multiple areas of a popular Watford café, a newly published food hygiene report has revealed.

Jenny’s Café in St Albans Road was told “major improvement” was needed when its 1/5 rating was confirmed earlier this month, following an inspection on April 9.

At the time, the manager said mistakes were made which have been resolved – but declined to say specifically what they were.

In the full report released this week, inspectors wrote that “mouse activity was noted in the form of droppings” under the sink at the dish washer area, under the grill and preparation area at the kitchen, and near the back exit.

They were also found behind the chest freezers at the storage room and behind the doors at the dishwasher room.

Jenny’s manager previously said: “We had a problem so we got 1/5 at the moment but we’ve literally been here 25 years and this is the first time we got 1/5 and it was a couple of mistakes that we made.

“But in the next three months we are going to ask for a revisit and we’ll make sure we get a 5 or 4 at least.”

Failings detailed in the report also included a gap in the back exit door, burger patties being stored directly on the fridge shelves without any covering or container, a broken back storage light fitting, and a damaged chest freezer door.

Referring to staff training, inspectors wrote: “It was apparent from discussions during the inspection that the level of food hygiene awareness amongst staff was inadequate on certain important food safety matters related to their work responsibilities.

“You must ensure that all food handlers engaged in your food business are supervised, instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters to a level appropriate to their work activity.”

They added that “your use of a sanitiser is inappropriate for the cleaning process you are undertaking”, before stressing the product used must meet required standards.

“It was evident that opening checks were not being undertaken as set out in your Safer Food, Better Business pack,” inspectors continued. “At the time of the inspection, these checks had not been completed, yet the business was operating.”

Overall, ‘cleanliness and condition of facilities’ and ‘management of food safety’ were graded ‘major improvement necessary’, while hygienic food handling was judged to be ‘good’.