A forum for the catering industry in Middlesbrough met the town's "food police" when it was launched at Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside Stadium yesterday.

About 100 industry representatives met Middlesbrough Council's food safety team to discuss ways of achieving the highest standards of hygiene.

Team manager Sarah Ratcliffe explained the council's role in the Catering Sector Partnership.

Ms Ratcliffe said: "The partnership aims to give the local catering sector some useful information and advice on complying with safety regulations.

"As environmental health officers we are often called the 'food police' and in Middlesbrough we certainly take a robust approach to enforcement.

"However, we have always seen an educational side to our work in improving food safety, and many smaller food businesses in particular need to understand the safety hazards they face and their role in minimising them."

Other speakers at the launch included representatives of the Foods Standards Agency, the National Association of Master Bakers and Business Link.

Councillor Ron Lowes, the council member for liveability and environment, said: "These events are a very useful forum for sharing news, ideas and challenges.

"I am pleased that so many representatives from the catering industry have taken time out to discuss some very important issues about the food business."