FIGURES from the Food Standards Agency have shown which pubs, bars, and restaurants in Cornwall have been awarded five-star food hygiene ratings in March.

The scheme gives businesses a rating from zero to five which is displayed at their premises and online to enable the public to make more informed choices about where to buy and eat food.

5 – hygiene standards are very good

4 – hygiene standards are good

3 – hygiene standards are generally satisfactory

2 – some improvement is necessary

1 – major improvement is necessary

0 – urgent improvement is required

According to the Food Standards Agency, ratings are a snapshot of the standards of food hygiene found at the time of inspection. It is the responsibility of the business to comply with food hygiene law at all times.

This includes: handling of food, how food is stored, how food is prepared, cleanliness of facilities, how food safety is managed.

The food hygiene rating scheme does not provide information on the following factors: quality of the food, customer service, culinary skill, presentation and comfort

In no particular order, the first ten pubs in East Devon that have been given 5-star ratings since the start of 2024 are:

Anchor Inn

Old Fore Street
Sidmouth
EX10 8LP

Last inspection: 12 March 2024

Barrel Of Beer

Fore Street
Beer
Seaton
EX12 3EQ

Last inspection: 11 April 2019

Cranberry Farm

Badger Way
Cranbrook
Exeter
Devon
EX5 7FN

Last inspection: 23 February 2023

Farmhouse Inn

Churchill Road
Exmouth
EX8 4JJ

Last inspection: 1 March 2023

Golden Lion

Tipton St John
Sidmouth
EX10 0AA

Last inspection: 23 March 2023

Hare And Hounds

Putts Corner
Sidbury
Sidmouth
EX10 0QQ

Last inspection: 11 May 2022

Holly Tree

161 Withycombe Village Road
Exmouth
EX8 3AN

Last inspection: 29 July 202

Hunters Lodge Inn

Charmouth Road
Axminster
EX13 5SZ

Last inspection: 2 May 2023

Kings Arms

55 Fore Street
Seaton
EX12 2AN

Last inspection: 20 October 2023

Masons Arms

The Masons Arms
Branscombe
Seaton
EX12 3DJ