A REWARD scheme is being introduced in a Teesside town for food businesses that meet hygiene standards.

Certificates of Inspection are to be issued by Middlesbrough Council to businesses ranging from sandwich shops, to pubs, restaurants and takeaways achieving high levels of food hygiene and practices. Certificate holders will also be listed on the council's website.

The local authority said that openly displayed, the certificate will give customers confidence that the place they have chosen to have meal has been inspected and passed with flying colours.

There are about 1,200 food businesses in the town, ranging from corner shops and greengrocers to pubs, restaurants and takeaways.

So far this year, there has only been one prosecution for failure to keep a takeaway clean and failure to control a beetle infestation. The proprietor was permanently banned from operating a food business.

According to the Food Standards Agency, 42 per cent of food premises inspected across England in the year, about 2,000 were found to be committing offences, such as poor cleanliness or lack of protection of food from insects.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive council member for public protection, said: "I look forward to seeing the Certificate of Inspection recognised as an indication of high standards in Middlesbrough. People are increasingly concerned about food hygiene."

The council already runs a Catering Forum to provide regulatory support to food businesses in the town.