An Isle of Wight chain restaurant has improved its food hygiene rating after inspectors found previously poor standards.

The Sloop Inn, in Wootton, was slapped with a score of two in March as Isle of Wight Council environmental health officers uncovered mouldy pipes and decaying short ribs.

Now, after a reinspection, the carvery and pub has drastically improved, replacing the 'improvement necessary' rating, with a 'very good' five-star.

The Sloop's parent company, Stonehouse Restaurants, has been contacted for comment. Previously a spokesperson said it was disappointed with the bad rating and had already started to make improvements.

The inspection took place at the end of July but the findings have only just been published.

Across three categories — compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures; compliance with cleanliness requirements and confidence in management/control procedures — only a couple of issues were raised at the follow-up inspection.

There was no cold water flowing fully in a wash hand basin; a light above the deep fat fryer was out and a fly unit needed replacing.

Inspectors reminded the restaurant to follow its procedures after it saw hash browns being cooked in a meat fryer.

Documentation was also checked including pest control procedures and temperature monitoring records.