Restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, schools and supermarkets across the area have all been among the outlets graded under a new food hygiene scheme which sees such businesses given a rating from the top five-star grade down to no stars.

The gradings have been given on the back of visits to all the premises by Cherwell District Council's environmental health inspectors although the scheme, called Scores on the Doors, is a national initiative.

Every business to have been scored has had its results published online and will have its scores updated after subsequent inspections.

Within the Banbury area, four businesses got no stars at all, which indicates almost no compliance with statutory obligations.

They were Jenny's Restaurant in High Street, Banbury, Harvey's Sports Bar in Middleton Road, Banbury, Chandler's Arms in Epwell and The Joiners Arms in Bloxham. However, owners of the food outlets to have scored badly have all said the ratings are out of date.

For the full story see this week's Banbury Guardian, on sale now.