A 17th century city pub and B&B has been slammed by hygiene inspectors over hot water issues and a 'badly damaged' ceiling which could lead to problems with pests.

The Old Black Horse, in St Clement's Street, was given a one-star rating - the second lowest score possible - after being visited by city council environmental health officers last month.

But the pub and inn scored 'Good' in the Food Hygiene and Safety category with most of the problems being structural.

Landlord Pete Saini said improvements were being made this weekend and there were no issues with its food, which it only serves for bed and breakfast guests.

Inspectors discovered there was no hot water to the kitchen's hand washing basin, making it impossible for staff to wash their hands properly.

A 'badly damaged' ceiling also led officers to warn that pests could infiltrate the kitchen and contaminate the food.

But inspectors did not report any evidence of pests at the time of their visit.

Listing improvements needed, the inspector's report said: "Ensure to repair and re-instate hot water to the kitchen wash hand basin for effective hand washing.

"I note that the nearby equipment basin did have hot water.

"Ensure to repair the badly damaged ceiling in the kitchen to prevent potential pest access and physical contamination to food."

In the 1600s, guests of the inn used stables and accommodation behind the pub for their servants.

As the pub's website points out, today there are 'far fewer travellers arriving by carriage or on horseback' and the area behind it is now a collection of 'Home-from-Home' suites.

The 17th century coaching inn scored 'good' when it came to Food Hygiene and Safety but fared worse in other areas of the inspection.

In the Structural Compliance category it scored 'Poor' and inspectors said they had 'little' confidence in management.

It added: "At the time of my inspection, I was not presented with a food safety management system, a means to ensure that food safety hazards are identified and effectively controlled.

"You must implement a suitable system - the 'Safe Food Better Business' pack would be most appropriate for this.e

"Also remove the bin lid and provide a foot-pedal operated bin to prevent hands from becoming contaminated.

Inspectors said all instructed improvements had to be undertaken 'immediately'.

Landlord Pete Saini said: "We had a leak in one of bedrooms which caused problems but it is being fixed this weekend.

"There's no problem with the food, we only do food for bed and breakfast guests and it was all fine."