SUPERMARKET staff in Greater Leys are being made to work in temperatures as low as 8C because the company says it can't afford heating, it can be revealed.

Food hygiene inspectors slammed Spar in Dunnock Way after a visit following several complaints the shop was too cold.

A damning report revealed staff were being forced to wear company fleeces but were still 'uncomfortably cold' and working in temperatures well below the national 16C minimum.

Oxford City Council environmental health officers found a number of other hygiene blunders, including cakes being stored in the staff toilet, and gave the shop a one-star rating last month.

The inspector's report read: "A member of staff was rubbing his hands together while we were talking and other staff also said they were uncomfortably cold.

"I was advised that the heating was working, but that it was being kept off for financial reason.

"Staff all had company fleeces, but were still uncomfortably cold."

He added: "The ambient temperature in the warehouse was 9.3C and the temperature of the till area was measured at 7.9C."

Officers ordered for the heating to be restored to provide comfortable working temperatures.

The report also said the inspectors were given several different reasons for the cold temperatures including staff leaving doors open, the heating system being old and management being worried the heating would put too much stress on old fridges causing breakdown.

Inspectors also slammed management after several issues flagged up at a previous visit in July 2016 had not been sorted.

The inadequate facilities had not been improved as instructed and despite written confirmation they would not prepare raw food until the facilities were improved, a full range of food including raw chicken was still being cooked on site.

Raw meat was also being kept close to milk and bacon stored above deli meats - both of which were frowned upon.

Inspectors said their confidence in the supermarket's management was 'extremely low' and served legal notices and threatened further legal action - which could lead to a £200 fine or imprisonment - if improvements weren't made.

The report also revealed that staff felt 'anxious' about the threat of crime against the shop as a newly-installed till was not protected by a barrier.

It said: "I was advised that another till had been added near the door - there is a perspex panel at the other end of the tills which would prevent people leaning over behind the till area.

"An additional barrier deterrent may be required.

"Staff felt anxious that the current arrangement leaves the area more open to potential crime."

The manager at Spar in Dunnock Way was given the opportunity to respond but refused to.