FORTY-four West Devon businesses recently attended a series of successful seminars aimed at helping them get top marks in food hygiene.

During April, food outlets, restaurants, shops, pubs and takeaways took part in three half day training seminars run by West Devon Borough Council at their offices in Tavistock.

The seminars guided businesses through the legal requirements for food safety and also to how to achieve and maintain the top rating of five under the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme.

Malcolm Whybrow, of the New Inn at Sampford Courtenay, who attended one of the seminars, said: 'This has been a good refresher.

'We already have a five-star rating but the seminar was a good way of refocusing our processes and procedures when it comes to food hygiene.'

Environmental health officers Fleur Barr and Karen Procter hosted some of the sessions and were able to pass on their first hand knowledge of good practice.

If businesses join the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme they are rated nought to five by Environmental Health Officers on routine inspections — five being very good and nought for major improvements being necessary.

Anyone who would like more information can call the Environmental Health Business Support Unit on 01822 813600.