A popular pub has admitted it suffered an “issue with rats” just three months after a maggot infestation forced it to close.

JD Wetherspoon’s Rose and Crown pub in Maldon High Street, underwent a £1.6 million refurbishment earlier this year.

The pub was forced to close on September 2 to tackle the maggot infestation just weeks after it opened.

And this week, its spokesman revealed the pub has recently tackled vermin at the pub.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We can confirm that therewas an issue with rats in the vicinity of the pub a few weeks ago.

“Measures were taken to ensure that the problem was resolved and therehavebeennosightingsof rats since.

“The rats have come from outside the pub and we have taken action to deal with it.”

Environmental Health says it had not been informed of any problems of rats in the area while nearby businesses said rats were not a problem in the town centre.

Emelia Polak, 26, the supervisor of Prezzo in the High Street, said: “There were a couple of dead rats in our garden in late August outside on the opposite side of the garden – it looked like someone put them there.

“We called Rentokil and they were here straight away.

“Since then we have not seen a rat in or around the restaurant.”