A South London Burger King was handed a one food hygiene rating, meaning major improvement is necessary, after inspectors discovered an active cockroach infestation.

Food hygiene inspectors from Greenwich Council visited Burger King on Eltham High Street on June 23 and found live and dead cockroaches throughout the fast food restaurant.

The fast food chain has since been rated with a five food hygiene rating, the top rating possible meaning hygiene standards are very good, after inspectors conducted an unannounced follow-up visit on August 14.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request sent by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) to the South London authority revealed Eltham Burger King was first visited following a complaint.

Photos taken during the June inspection show cockroaches throughout the eatery. Insects can be seen on the floor, on work surfaces and near soft drink cup dispensers.

Inspectors criticised the restaurant for having “inadequate management controls” whilst the infestation was active.

Greenwich Council handed Burger King a one rating, and proposed that the restaurant close temporarily while the infestation was dealt with.

Council inspectors revisited nearly two months later and found the infestation had been dealt with.

A Greenwich Council spokesperson said: “Burger King took immediate action to resolve issues identified during a food hygiene assessment and have since received a rating of 5 (very good) following an unannounced inspection.”

The Eltham High Street restaurant is one of two Burger Kings in the borough, the other being in the Millennium Leisure Park next to the Odeon cinema. It currently has a four food hygiene rating.

A Burger King spokesperson said: “Food safety and hygiene is a top priority at Burger King® UK. We can confirm that Eltham was revisited by Greenwich Council on 14th August and the restaurant now has a 5-star rating.”