DORSET is the best in England when it comes to food hygiene.

Research using the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) rating data, found the DT postcode had the highest average score (4.85) out of 106 areas in the country.

The compensation firm Claims Direct gathered data on more than 450,000 businesses, breaking them down into hotels, restaurants, pubs/bars and takeaways to find out the average of each type.

121 hotels, 504 restaurants, 233 pubs and bars and 150 takeaways in the DT postcode area produced the top average score of 4.85 out of 5, higher than the national average of 4.52.

The FSA's food hygiene rating scheme gives businesses a rating from 5 to 0 which is displayed at their premises and online.

What do the ratings mean?

  • 5 – hygiene standards are very good
  • 4 – hygiene standards are good
  • 3 – hygiene standards are generally satisfactory
  • 2 – some improvement is necessary
  • 1 – major improvement is necessary
  • 0 – urgent improvement is required

What does the FSA assess?

  • Handling of food
  • How food is stored
  • How food is prepared
  • Cleanliness of facilities
  • How food safety is managed

The ratings do not assess the taste or quality of food.