TWO restaurants have been given a 'one star' food hygiene rating within the space of a week.

Voujon, in Lowesmoor, Worcester, and Happy Taste, a Chinese restaurant in Orchard Street, both received the rating after two inspections in a seven day period.

An inspector visited Voujon, an Indian restaurant, on Thursday, March 30, and Happy Taste, on Thursday, April 6.

Only two other businesses in Worcester have the 'one star' food hygiene rating, which means they require 'major improvement'.

Voujon's inspection report noted the results of two swab tests in the restaurant, which indicated that cleaning standards were 'unsatisfactory'.

The hygiene tests highlight the potential presence of bacteria, yeasts or moulds, and low scores suggest that surfaces have been cleaned properly.

Voujon scored 505 and 672 in the two tests - way above the level expected by Worcester City Council.

The council expects scores of below 200 in the working day and under 10 after cleaning at the end of the day.

A summary of the inspection focused on the swab scores and the absence of a food safety management system.

The report added that the restaurant did not have a proper allergies assessment, although the manager did have reasonable knowledge.

Salim Uddin, who manages Voujon, said the inspection happened when he took over as manager.

"Our kitchen and everything was clean. When she [the inspector] came that was at a busy time," he said.

"We can't spray the surface while serving customers. If you spray you will hit the food.

"We have anti-bacterial spray but we use it at the beginning and end of the day and when we have pushed all the orders out."

Mr Uddin added that as he was new he could not find the food safety management diary during the inspection.

He claims they now have the diary on the premises.

He added that they are also using the anti-bacterial spray more.

Mr Uddin also said their menu clearly highlights allergy information.

Helen Cameron, senior practitioner in food health and safety for Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said: "Anything over 200 suggests poor cleaning practices, so scores of over 500 are a cause for serious concern.

"Voujon have been told to improve their cleaning practices and we will be re-inspecting them very soon to see if improvements have been made."

In the hygiene report the inspector did note that the kitchen looked reasonably clean.

The report also highlighted that the standard of cleanliness and the condition of the building - and the facilities - was 'good'.

But they did find that improvements were needed in the hygienic handling of food and major improvement was necessary in the management of food safety.

It is understood that there are a number of issues at Happy Taste, including not having a suitable action plan in place.

The other businesses rated 'one star' in Worcester are Watan Supermarket and Wing Sing.

Chicks also has a 'one star' rating on the Food Standards Agency website but inspectors recently gave it a temporary 'three star' rating.