FOOD hygiene ratings for Tendring takeaways are among the best in the country, a new study has revealed.

Out of 355 council areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Tendring has the 18th highest percentage of businesses rated either “good” (four) or “very good” (five).

North Devon came out on top with 100 per cent of its food outlets rated as a four or five, but Tendring was not too far behind on 91.8 per cent.

Food Standards Agency listings show out of the 97 applicable takeaways and sandwich shops in the district, 65 per cent were “very good”.

There was just one premises in the area which scored zero at its latest inspection.

Linda Firth, of LoveMyVouchers.co.uk which carried out the study, said: “We wanted to help raise awareness about food hygiene ratings, as they can be a useful measure for customers deciding which takeaways to spend their hard earned money on.”

From 2019, all food establishments in England will by law have to display their food hygiene rating for customers.