HEREFORDSHIRE pubs, restaurants and takeaways have been handed new ratings in the latest round of food hygiene inspections, with one county business told that major improvement is needed.

All businesses handling food in the county are regularly checked by local authority food hygiene inspectors.

Businesses are rated, with five being the highest score and zero meaning urgent improvement is necessary.

They are rated on their handling of food, the cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings including layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control, and their systems and checks to ensure food sold or served is safe to eat, and evidence that staff know about food safety.

Razbari, Eign Street, Hereford

Rating: one out of five on January 24

Hygienic food handling: generally satisfactory

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: improvement necessary

Management of food safety: major improvement necessary

What this rating means overall: major improvement necessary

The Cattle Shed, Lyonshall 

Rating: four out of five on January 24

Hygienic food handling: good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: generally satisfactory

Management of food safety: very good

What this rating means overall: good

The Lion Hotel, Leintwardine

Rating: four out of five on January 19

Hygienic food handling: very good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: generally satisfactory

Management of food safety: generally satisfactory

What this rating means overall: good

The Oak Inn, Staplow

Rating: four out of five on January 24

Hygienic food handling: very good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: generally satisfactory

Management of food safety: generally satisfactory

What this rating means overall: good

Bao to the Broth, St Owen Street, Hereford

Rating: five out of five on February 15

Hygienic food handling: good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: good

What this rating means overall: very good

Credenhill Fish Bar, Credenhill

Rating: five out of five on February 14

Hygienic food handling: very good

Cleanliness and condition of facilities and buildings: good

Management of food safety: good

What this rating means overall: very good