PEOPLE are being encouraged to check food hygiene ratings online.

The food hygiene rating scheme, known as ‘scores on the doors’, gives a rating out of 5 stars for every takeaway and restaurant and people are encouraged to check these before visiting.

It is not yet compulsory for food premises to display their rating but these can still be looked up online, with an app available for free download onto mobile phones which allows potential customers to check the ‘scores on the doors’ before visiting.

In Blackburn with Darwen, 94 per cent of food premises have a rating of three stars or above.

Cllr Jim Smith, executive member for environment at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I’d encourage you to check the ’scores on the doors’ before you go to a takeaway or restaurant, to make sure the hygiene rating is good.

“If a shop isn’t displaying its food hygiene rating, ask yourself why? The answer will probably be because it was poor.

“I recommend you vote with your feet and go somewhere which is displaying their good rating.”

The food hygiene rating app is available from app stores and more information on scores on the doors can be found at http://ratings.food.gov.uk