FOOD hygiene ratings may be more harsh than a list of numbers lets on, restaurant owners have revealed.

The Evening Mail today looks at the full range of Food Standards Agency markings given to restaurants, cafes and shops across South and West Cumbria following inspections that have taken place during 2016. While a number are celebrating being give the highest score of Five, others have been left devastated by marks of Zero - Urgent Improvement Necessary, One - Major Improvement Necessary or Two - Improvement Necessary.

Responding to the Evening Mail’s bid to get to the bottom of some of the worst ratings, many proprietors have explained the types of tiny indiscretion or unfortunate turns of event that can lead to a poor score. Those who proved more successful have shared what they believe to be the secrets of their success.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland helps people choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving them information about the standards in restaurants, takeaways and food shops. A new rating is given each time the business is visited by a food safety officer from the local authority, with the frequency of inspections depending on how high the risk to people’s health would be if something were to go wrong on that particular type of premises.

The owner or manager of any business who is unhappy with the rating they have been given has a ‘right to reply’, allowing them to tell potential customers how the business has improved hygiene, or to say if there were unusual circumstances at the time of the inspection. This justification is published online by the local authority alongside the original hygiene rating.

The Evening Mail has only been able to approach a sample of some of the best and worst rated eateries. Visit ratings.food.gov.uk to find the full list of ratings for every restaurant, cafe and shop in the area.