COLCHESTER restaurants named and shamed after receiving the lowest possible hygiene ratings have turned things around, according to council inspectors.

Three eateries in the Colchester borough received scores of one out of five according to the latest data available.

The ratings followed inspections by Colchester Council's environmental health team in April and May.

The Peri Peri Grill and Pizza House, which share the same premises in North Station Road, were visited on May 5.

A Colchester Council spokesman said: "[We found] evidence of rodent activity and the absence of a food safety management system, which automatically limits the food hygiene rating to a score of 1 - major improvement necessary.

"A re-inspection was subsequently undertaken on the May 27, which confirmed both matters had been addressed with a good standard of rodent proofing having been achieved."

Bungalow Diner, in London Road, Marks Tey, also initially received the lowest rating of one of of five following a visit on April 13.

The council said the rating resulted from a visit where the team found the business operating without a manager.

The spokesman added: "The restaurant was initially visited to find the premises operating without a manager and the absence of a documented food safety management system, thereby receiving a rating of one - major improvement necessary.

"Having revisited on the May 27, a new manager had, along with other works, reintroduced a food safety management system which had been in operation until the time of the previous manager leaving.

"On June 15, the premises were subsequently re-rated back to the previous five, very good."