FOOD outlets should be forced to display the results of food hygiene inspections, council chiefs have said.

Every establishment, from high street restaurants to corner shops, is given a score between zero and five based on potential risk to public health.

However, the owners do not have to display their score meaning those with the worst ratings can often escape the negative publicity.

The call has been made by the Local Government Authority, which represents more than 370 councils including Swindon which backs the move.

Council Leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) said: “It would be a good idea. I have often found the establishments which score four or five tend to display their scores while those that haven’t done well do not.

“I suppose people can read what they want to into that but more information for the public can only be a good thing.

“I am usually more in favour of taking a carrot approach rather than the stick but this will see standards increase.”

In recent months, Swindon Borough Council has brought several high profile cases against establishments but these can be expensive and there is no guarantee the costs will be recovered.

It is hoped if standards are driven up, there will be fewer prosecutions.

“Anything which cuts the costs is always going to be a good thing,” said Coun Renard.

“If we can get cut the number of prosecutions then it means money can be spent elsewhere.

“I have found though in Swindon the standards and service you receive is very good.”

Displaying hygiene ratings is already a requirement in Wales and becoming law in Northern Ireland later this year so the LGA say it makes sense for this to be extended in England.

Labour Councillor Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Forcing all food outlets in England to display a hygiene rating would help to crack down on and expose businesses that flout the law and put people at risk by incentivising them to improve or maintain high hygiene standards and show customers how seriously they take the issue.

"A good food hygiene rating is good for business and people in England should also now be able to use it to decide if they are happy with their choice of food outlet, or would prefer to go somewhere else with higher standards.”

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has also said he wants to see the notices become compulsory.

He said: “As customers we have the right to know this information before ordering. There are no excuses for food establishments to not keep their kitchens and preparation clean and orderly.”