Last month we published the latest round of food hygiene inspections, and revealed six establishments in Blackburn with Darwen were found to have zero star ratings by the Food Standards Agency.

After submitting a Freedom of Information request to the council, we have managed to obtain the inspection reports for all six venues and can now reveal exactly why those establishments were given such low ratings.

Today we will deal with two more of those businesses; the first being the Cantonese Box in Duckworth Street, Darwen, and the second Freddy's Chicken and Pizza, also in Duckworth Street, Darwen.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Cantonese Box, Darwen

Cantonese Box:

The Cantonese Box is a Chinese takeaway in Darwen and was inspected on July 24.

It received an overall food hygiene rating of zero after scoring a total of 60 out of a possible 80 (where zero is the best and 80 the worst).

Inspectors gave the establishment 20 out of 25 for how hygienically the food was handled; 20 out of 25 for the condition of the premises; and 20 out of 30 for how they managed and recorded food safe systems.

In the inspection report, a summary of essential matters discussed read: "Chinese chef said the kitchen was very dirty and they needed to clean.

"A deep clean was required of the walls, floors, ceilings, appliances, food containers and rice cookers.

"A member of staff decided to stop taking Just Eat orders at 5.45pm on the day of the inspection to clean.

"Amazed there are no mouse droppings."

The inspection report also noted that the rear store room ceiling had collapsed, Safer Food Better Business records were incomplete and raw and cooked food was being stored in the same fridge.

A deep clean was required as hand contact points were 'caked in oil and grease', and there was heavy soiling and food waste under the cooker ranges.

The report stated: "None of the cleaning on the schedule was done and the premises was filthy - unclean at the time of visit."

The inspectors ordered an immediate clean and returned to the premise the following day, when they noted they were satisfied with the work done, although more work needed to be done to raise the standards.

A further inspection is due in January.

Lancashire Telegraph: Freddy's pizza and takeaway, Darwen

Freddy's Chicken and Pizza:

Freddy's Chicken and Pizza is a takeaway, also in Darwen, and was given an overall score of 55 out of 80 when inspectors from the Food Standards Agency visited on July 10.

Inspectors gave the establishment 20 out of 25 for how hygienically the food was handled; 15 out of 25 for the condition of the premises and 20 out of 30 for how they managed food safety records.

The inspection reported noted that no records had been produced from before January 2021 and managers of the takeaway were given advice that should there be no compliance then formal action, ie, prosecution, would be brought against them.

The report read: "Equipment/machinery is very dirty - took the tray out of the grill and kebab machine and there were heavy deposits of grease, oil and food waste.

"There was food waste at the wall and floor junctions and the toilet opens directly into the food room.

"Old mouse droppings were found behind the freezer, and behind the drinks fridge, and the chef was wearing soiled gym gear."

The takeaway was ordered to call pest control and was also ordered to update their training records.

A further inspection was ordered for January 2022.

A spokesperson for Freddy's said they had been revisited on Thursday and were awaiting a new score after carrying out all necessary cleaning.

Cantonese Box were contacted for comment.