HIGH standards in restaurants and eateries has led to a town being named one of the best in the country for food hygiene improvements.

It comes as Which? reveals that there still remains a huge variation in standards across the UK, with one in five outlets failing to make the grade. The consumer group found that the chance of a customer buying from a food business not meeting hygiene standards is as high as one in three in 20 UK local authorities.

Which? analysed data submitted to the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland by 386 UK local authorities. It ranked all 386, focusing on eating areas considered high risk, such as hospitals, care homes and schools, and medium-risk businesses, such as local restaurants and takeaways.

Alex Neill, Which? managing director of home services, said: “People expect their food to be safe, but there is clearly still work to be done.

"As we prepare to leave the EU, the government and regulators need to ensure that there is a robust, independent system of enforcement in place to give people confidence that the food they're eating is hygienic.”

Locally, there is a more positive story, as Barrow has come out as one of the five most-improved local authority areas since Which? last carried out its analysis two years ago.

In August, the Evening Mail revealed how a host of south Cumbria’s businesses were celebrating getting the full five stars following council inspections.

Simon Blackburn, chairman of the Local Government Association's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Despite the significant funding pressures affecting everyday services, councils are doing everything possible to maintain checks in this area, with several local authorities making significant improvements.”