FILTHY takeaways in Pendle could be named and shamed as part of a ‘scores on the doors’ scheme.

If Pendle Council goes ahead with plans to sign up to the national scheme, its environmental health officers will inspect takeaways, cafes, restaurants, sandwich shops, pubs, hotels and supermarkets, and give them a hygeine rating.

The ratings will be available online and businesses will be encouraged to display them at their premises.

Coun Chris Tennant, who represents environmental health, said the scheme will help customers make better informed decisions.

He said: “The idea behind the scheme is to give consumers easy access to transparent and consistent information on hygiene standards in any business where you can buy or eat food.

“In short, it gives consumers more confidence in the places they eat and buy food from.

“The knock-on effect is that businesses are encouraged to improve and maintain their standards and do better than their competitors.

“Of course, good food hygiene ratings will be good for business whilst poor food hygiene ratings may make their customers think twice.”

Under the new scheme, food businesses will be given one of six different hygiene ratings.

In Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Preston City Council have developed successful schemes.

Lee Holt, who runs Holt’s Fish and Chips, in Scotland Road, welcomed the scheme.

He said: “I think it’s fair enough.

“Everbody has the right to know about where they are eating, not only about the food but also the area where that food is prepared as well.”