BARRACKS used by the Armed Forces, reserves and cadets breached strict food hygiene rules to fail an environmental health inspection.

Sefton Council officers are understood to have found serious food safety risks after turning up unannounced last month to inspect Altcar training camp’s canteens and equipment.

According to a leaked report, inspectors found hygiene compliance and compliance with hygiene legislation was “poor”.

They also had “little confidence in management”.

Overall, inspectors awarded the canteen zero stars, the lowest grading possible. Sodexho, the company contracted to run food premises at Altcar, vowed to improve standards.

A spokesman said: “We expect the highest standards relating to hygiene throughout our operations and were disappointed to receive this rating after the inspection in September. However, we have since worked closely with our client to resolve the issues relevant to us in the report.

“We will continue to work with the relevant parties to ensure further improvements are made to maintain the high standards that we set.”

The canteen at Altcar can cater for up to 450 people, including Navy, RAF and Army troops who use the site’s rifle ranges.

All food businesses are liable to a routine food hygiene inspection.

Bosses at Altcar Training Camp declined to comment, insisting the inspection was purely a matter for Sodexho.