Photo shared of dead rat under sitting area of five-star-hygiene Northampton cafe

A Northampton cafe with a five-star food hygiene rating has been caught with a dead rat under one of its tables.

A commuter who stopped at the Super Sausage Cafeteria, in St Andrew's Road, on Thursday afternoon (February 28) said he "couldn't finish his food" after finding the rodent under a stool.

The driver says he passed through Northampton on his way back to Newcastle and was met with the sight of the dead rat in the seating area.

He told the Chronicle and Echo: "I waved to one of the staff and said 'one of your pets has died under here'.

"I just wonder how it could happen at a five-star food and hygiene rating cafe."

A spokesperson for Super Sausage Cafeteria - which was rated 'good' in all areas in its hygiene inspection in August 2019 - said in a statement: "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.

"We are taking advice about whether there are any additional measures that can 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 rating following a regular health and hygiene inspection."