A POPULAR pub in Widnes has been hit with a zero-star food hygiene rating.

The Cookhouse Pub and Kitchen, based on Liverpool Road, received the shocking score following an inspection from the Food Standards Agency.

The ratings are issued by the Food Standards Agency and are made publicly available online.

In terms of the management of food safety and cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, inspectors found that major improvement was necessary at the Cookhouse Pub and Kitchen.

While in the hygienic food handling category improvement is necessary, say inspectors.

The rating on the Food Standards Agency website can be viewed here: https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1285746/cookhouse-pub-kitchen-halton