THE council has reassured the public that pubs in Wyre Forest are above the national average for food hygiene after data previously suggested they fell below par.

Food hygiene ratings for pubs and bars in Wyre Forest are above the national average, figures released by public health watchdogs have revealed today.

The average hygiene rating for pubs and bars in the district is 4.53 – above the national average of 4.47.

Previously, Claims Direct gathered data on over 450,000 food businesses from across the UK, and out of 106 postcode locations, pubs is the DY area were found to be rated the worst for hygiene in the country.

Their data was gathered from June to August 2019 from the Food Standards Agency.

Cabinet member for culture, leisure and community protection Councillor Helen Dyke said: “I would like to reassure the general public that the facts are pubs and bars in Wyre Forest are above the national average when it comes to food hygiene.

“Confusion arose following the publication of national figures last month which compared pubs and bars by postcode.

"Wyre Forest was included in figures across the DY or Dudley postcode area which showed an overall rating of 4.07.

“This postcode includes fourteen postcode districts covering the south-western portion of the West Midlands and north Worcestershire, plus very small parts of Shropshire and Staffordshire.

“When you look at figures for Wyre Forest I’m pleased to say we are bucking the local trend and are above the national average.”