A BOURNEMOUTH seafood eatery has been awarded a top food hygiene rating - just months after being told "urgent improvement" was needed.

Alex Dwornik, who manages the Park Central Hotel in Exeter Road, said much has changed since the hotel's restaurant was awarded a zero food hygiene rating in July.

Following a surprise inspection on Thursday, inspectors gave The Crab a score of five out of five.

Ms Dwornik said: "So much has happened since then.

"The company is under new ownership, and our new owners are doing things very differently.

"They are very dedicated to the hotel and the restaurant."

Staff responsible for the issues have been dismissed and all issues of concern fixed, Ms Dwonik said.

"We immediately took action after the first inspection," she said.

"Staff who failed us have been replaced.

"Since then, we have been running everything very differently, and that has been reflected in our new rating.

"We have a very talented head chef who has taken over the running of the kitchen.

"That has been an important change.

"We had an unexpected inspection this week and we have been given the highest rating possible.

"We understand that it's rare for a seafood restaurant to score so highly.

"In every category, we achieved the top results.

"Since the summer, we have done a great amount of work to make sure everything was perfect for our guests in the future.

"It was damaging for our reputation, but we want to make sure this will never happen again."

The restaurants offers a menu that changes each season, with delicacies including sea bass and sashimi on offer.