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A Chinese noodle bar was forced to shut after inspectors found the decaying corpse of a rat on the kitchen floor.

Food safety officers issued the emergency closure order after discovering the remains during an unannounced visit to Coco Noodle Bar in Ealing.

Droppings and dirt were found on work surfaces at the restaurant, which was given a food hygiene rating of zero after the inspection earlier this year.

It had to close for a week for pest controllers to be brought in.

Three other venues in Ealing borough were also shut temporarily by food safety officers, who said their condition posed an imminent risk of injury to health.

Sweet maker Balaji Foods in Greenford, Bilal Halal Meat in Southall, and Kabul Restaurant & Banqueting, on The Broadway in Southall, have all reopened after working with inspectors to meet council food hygiene standards.

Julian Bell, leader of Ealing council, said: “These are some revolting examples of what can happen when businesses do not maintain proper standards of cleanliness, which is ultimately their own responsibility.

“We take food safety very seriously and actively uncover and immediately shut down restaurants and food traders right across the borough who put the public in danger.”