THREE establishments in the Royston have been highlighted as having poor standards of food hygiene and safety. The first batch of results from the Scores on the Doors system implemented by North Herts District Council have been announced, and reveal t

THREE establishments in the Royston have been highlighted as having "poor" standards of food hygiene and safety.

The first batch of results from the "Scores on the Doors" system implemented by North Herts District Council have been announced, and reveal that St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Ashlea Tandoori, and the Old Bull Inn were all given one star.

Although none of the places named produce unsafe food - even those given no stars - one star business's are said to have "some major noncompliance with food safety legislation - much more effort is required."

Four Crow Country businesses received the top rating of five stars, with nursing homes Margaret House, Richard Cox House, and St Georges House joining the canteen at Johnson Matthey in the top bracket.

Scores On The Doors is intended to help members of the public to see how food premises perform in terms of food hygiene and safety. The residents of North Herts now have easy access to information that enables them to make an informed choice when eating out.

All the organisations achieving the top rating of five stars were invited to attend a launch event at which they were presented with their awards by Cllr David Levett, Vice-Chair of the district council.

Cllr Bernard Lovewell, portfolio holder for Housing and Environmental Health, who was in attendance at the launch, said: "This is an exciting service for the residents and visitors of North Herts, with an easily accessible way of finding out about the quality of the food premises that they use.

"For businesses, it gives recognition for the work that they put in to adhering to food hygiene rules and gives another way of promoting their businesses to potential uses.

"More than that, 'Scores On The Doors' is a benchmark that will encourage organisations throughout the district to improve their standards, We have a vision of making North Hertfordshire a vibrant place to live, work and prosper and I hope that this scheme will make a contribution towards that objective," he said.

Scores on the Doors currently covers 418 companies in the district, and their scores are available on the district council website, www.north-herts.gov.uk.