A Watford off licence has been told “major improvement” is needed after food hygiene inspectors gave it a 1/5 rating.

The Who’s Next store in Langley Road, near the corner with Nascot Street, recently had its grading published after an inspection on December 5.

Owner and manager Meet Singh apologised to customers while insisting "we try our best to keep the shop clean and tidy".

The store was graded ‘major improvement necessary’ in the ‘management of food safety’ category – which assesses the checks in place to ensure food sold is safe to eat.

Inspectors also judge evidence that staff know about food safety, and whether there is confidence that standards will be maintained in future, according to the Food Standards Agency.

The ‘hygienic food handling’ category, which includes preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage, was graded ‘improvement necessary’.

The ‘cleanliness and condition of facilities and building’ was ‘generally satisfactory’.

The manager of Who’s Next, which is five minutes’ walk from Watford Junction train station, said as well as doing their best to keep the shop clean and tidy, staff also always check dates and ensure "best customer service" is provided.

He added they are "very upset" at the rating, with inspectors highlighting "small things" such as fridge temperature, temperature record books, an oven tray being washed with cold water, and no tissue roll in the toilet.

The fridge has since been repaired and serviced, Mr Singh added.

All places that sell food are assessed by environmental health officers and given a rating of between 0/5 (urgent improvement necessary) and 5/5 (very good). The score is then published on the Food Standards Agency website.