A CITY fish and chip shop has been battered by food hygiene bosses for the third time in as many years.

Rose Hill Fish and Chip - also known as Captain Cod Chippy - scored a one-star food hygiene rating after inspectors visited earlier this year.

They found dirty surfaces, dust and cobwebs and feared that the rear yard may be attracting pests.

Uncovered pies, an open container of curry sauce and pies and grated cheese being stored in a 'dirty' fridge also concerned the Oxford City Council environmental health officers.

The takeaway was given a one-star in December 2016 when inspectors had issues with the way Pukka Pies were being cooked and also with how raw food was being stored.

In October last year it improved to a two-star, but in April this year it was back down to a one rating.

The inspectors said "There was a general problem with dirty hand contact surfaces, for example food containers and fridge door handles.

“Removable grease filters were evidently dirty.”

As inspectors moved through the fish and chip shop and out towards the rear they had even more concerns over the state of the premises.

They added: “Dirty interior surfaces were evident in the tall fridge unit holding foods such as pies and grated cheese.

“Dirty floor/wall junctions were evident throughout food handling areas in both the main kitchen and rear store.”

They said: “An accumulation of dust and cobwebs were seen at high level in the external storage/preparation room.

“Flooring to the rear yard, especially along the side of the premises, was very dirty - this can attract pests.

“Ensure to thoroughly deep clean these areas and maintain cleanliness.”

They also found an inadequate supply of water to the kitchen sink and that staff neither wore suitable clothing nor had enough food hygiene awareness.

Food storage was also a concern.

They said: "Uncovered pies were seen on the top shelf of the tall freezer.

"In addition an open container of curry sauce was seen uncovered in the fridge.

"This would make it difficult to monitor shelf life and presents a risk of contamination to food."

The manager, who referred to himself as Money, said: "We have improved and we did everything we were asked.

"The inspectors are coming back next week and we are hopeful of a much higher score."