A Lincolnshire school has moved to reassure parents that its kitchens are clean after receiving a one out five food hygiene rating for one its canteens.

Health inspectors from West Lindsey District Council were not impressed after a visit to Will’s diner at William Farr School in Welton near Lincoln on October 31.

Inspectors were particularly concerned about the school’s management of food safety and said ‘major improvement was necessary’.

Improvement was also requested on hygienic food handling, although the cleanliness and condition of the facilities was described as good.

However, William Farr – which was ranked as the county’s twelfth top performing school in July – insists there is an innocent explanation.

It is thought that the school froze several items and then served them past their recommended sell-by date, which is usually safe but does fall foul of food standards agency regulations – although the inspector did say there were no concerns about the risks posed to public health.

In the report from the inspector it read: “In most areas of this business , food safety provision is of a high standard.

“The law states that, subject to certain provisions, food exceeding the designated use by date is unsafe.”