A POPULAR city centre cafe has sought to reassure customers it is pest free after a hygiene inspection found cockroaches in its kitchens.

The Vaults and Garden Cafe, which is based opposite Oxford's Radcliffe Camera, was given a two-star rating following a surprise visit by Oxford City Council’s health team on May 28.

As well as the pests, a report following the inspection also raised issues with cleanliness, out-of-date food and water leaks.

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A statement from the business said when the visit took place the cafe's pest control contractor had already identified the presence of cockroaches and was in the process of delivering 'an intensive course of treatment to remove the pests'.

It added: “Following a thorough assessment, we now have four months of records to prove that there has been no evidence of activity.

"It has been a valuable lesson to our team. We take these issues very seriously. We have previously held five stars for our food hygiene certificate and we are confident that we will regain this rating at our pending reinspection date."

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It concluded: “The entire team at the cafe is very passionate about freshly prepared food and drinks made and served with the highest food hygiene practices.”

The head of the pest control company used said at the beginning of May he found evidence of German Cockroaches and started treatment straight away.

He added he was 'satisfied' that the treatment carried out in May and June had 'completely eliminated all pest populations' as there has been no activity for the past three months based on his regular site visits.