A Kingston restaurant has been handed a new zero-out-of-five food hygiene rating by the Food Standards Agency.

Esquina Brasil Ltd was given the minimum score after an assessment on 3 March.

This means that of Kingston's 419 restaurants, cafes, and canteens with ratings, 291 (69%) have ratings of five and just two have zero ratings.

When inspecting the restaurants food hygiene handling, cleanliness and condition of building and facilities, and management of food safety, the agency stated that in all areas "major improvement [is] necessary".

Esquina Brasil took over an  empty venue, located in 70 Richmond Road, previously plagued by rats at the end of last year in the hope of breathing new life into the area.