New analysis has revealed that Darlington is one of the top 10 areas of the UK for five-star food hygiene ratings.

Ratcliffe Cleaning Contractors and Online Marketing Surgery have looked through ratings from 266 locations in the UK.

From those statistics, they found that Darlington and Hartlepool were within the top 10.

All of the ratings were from the UK Food Standards Agency's website.

The ratings, which are based on hygiene and safety, structural compliance and confidence in management are routinely updated.

Across the UK, every food outlet including convenience stores, restaurants, hospitals and care homes are given a hygiene rating.

Don't miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to the Northern Echo, click here

Most read

Babul owners from Darlington on Come Dine With Me tonight

Danielle Massey in court charged over Charlie Goodall death

28 Years Later filming in Newcastle, Hexham and Holy Island

What each hygiene rating means

0 - Urgent Improvement Necessary
1 - Major Improvement Necessary
2 - Some Improvement Necessary
3 - Hygiene Standards Generally Satisfactory
4 - Hygiene Standards Good
5 - Hygiene Standards Very Good

Here are the top 10 areas with the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings:

Built up area

Rating of 5 %

Southport

86.50%

Wrexham

85.87%

Ipswich

83.45%

Stockton-on-Tees

82.99%

Hartlepool

80.94%

Darlington

80.49%

Carmarthen

80.32%

Hastings

80.11%

Llandudno

79.41%

Bournemouth

79.26%