Anyone booking a special Christmas meal with family, friends or work colleagues is advised to check a restaurant’s food hygiene rating beforehand.

The food hygiene rating tells you about standards in restaurants and other food businesses.

To check go to the Food Standards Agency at food.gov.uk/ratings or, if you are out and about, just look for the green and black sticker on display in a restaurant’s window.

The ratings are determined by Croydon Council’s food safety officers and run from zero to five, with a five rating indicating a very good level of food hygiene and safety.

In Croydon, 82 per cent of food businesses are rated three or better.

Cabinet member for safety and justice Councillor Mark Watson said: “It’s easy for people in Croydon to check hygiene ratings online and choose a restaurant for their Christmas parties that takes food hygiene and safety seriously.

“This is an important time for local businesses.

“A good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of, and the great majority of Croydon restaurants have a rating of three or above.

“It matters to customers, so we’re encouraging food businesses to display their rating and have a prosperous Christmas season.”

For more information, visit food.gov.uk/business-industry/caterers/hygieneratings