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A Northampton café with a five-star food hygiene rating has apologised after a dead rat was pictured under a table in its sitting area last week.

The Chronicle & Echo reported on Sunday (March 1) how a commuter stopped in at the popular Super Sausage Cafeteria, in St Andrew's Road, only to spot the dead rodent under a stool.

In a statement, Super Sausage - which has a five-star food hygiene rating - said they were "very alarmed" to see the rodent and dealt with it quickly.

Super Sausage has responded to the dead rat pictured in their sitting area last week...

Dozens of the Chron's readers came out in support of the cafe following the story on Sunday.And as of this morning (March 2), the cafe has placed a prop rat skeleton on its front counter.

A spokesman for Super Sausage said: "We were very alarmed and concerned regarding the appearance of a dead rodent just inside the front door of our Café and are extremely sorry for the distress it caused [the customer].

"Along with all food outlets we have a contract with a pest control company who monitor the premises on our behalf.

"The very mild winter, along with very high water levels has led to an increase in rodent activity this year. The Café is close to the river and this may have been the source of the problem.

A commuter took a picture of a dead rat in the cafe's sitting area on Thursday.

"We are taking advice about whether there are any additional measures that can be taken to mitigate the situation.

"Everyone at the Café works hard to provide a clean and hygienic place for people to eat. This was recognised in January of this year by the awarding of a five-star hygiene rating following a regular health and hygiene inspection."

Northampton cafe props fake rat skeleton on front counter after apologising for dead rodent in sitting area last week