A SUBWAY branch which was given the lowest food hygiene rating possible has got its rank upgraded to four stars despite an ongoing investigation into disastrous findings from January.

The fast-food restaurant on Marcham Road in Abingdon received another visit from a food hygiene inspection officer on March 18, who gave the premises an almost excellent score.

However, a spokesperson from the Vale of White Horse District Council confirmed it is still investigating the Subway branch and its previous lower rating.

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The new report revealed that food hygiene and safety procedures at the restaurant are good and that the structure of the establishment, including cleanliness, layout, lighting and facilities, are 'very good'.

However, the 'confidence in management' remained average with three stars.

In March, the district council refused to publish its full zero-star inspection report about the fast food restaurant, even after a Freedom of Information request made by the Oxford Mail.

Such low ratings by the taxpayer-funded public service could be based on anything from administrative errors to dangerous meat preparation, but the council's refusal means it is still unclear why the zero-star rating was given.