AN MP has received backing for his campaign to force all restaurants and food shops to display food hygiene ratings in their windows.

David Crausby tabled a motion in Parliament back in October calling for the Government to change the rules regarding food hygiene ratings and make it mandatory that businesses place them in a prominent place in entrances to their premises.

This action followed a Bolton News article in August which revealed that there were 19 food outlets in the borough at the time that had received a zero rating for food hygiene — meaning urgent improvement was necessary.

There were also 100 outlets at the time of writing that had received level one ratings — which the Food Standard Agency says requires “major improvement.”

Mr Crausby said he was shocked by the figures and was also surprised to find out that it is not currently a legal requirement for businesses to place their hygiene rating stickers on display for potential customers to view.

Currently all businesses are given a green sticker to display after they are rated, but there is no requirement to display them so they are often only seen at businesses with a good score.

Making displays compulsory would bring England into line with the rules in Wales.

After submitting his Early Day Motion calling for a change in the law, he has so far received the backing of 22 fellow Members of Parliament.

But crucially, his campaign has now been backed by Heather Hancock, the chair designate of the Food Standards Agency who wants an enforced “scores on the doors” ratings system introduced this year.

She said: “A sticker on the door giving a rating is something very simple and accessible.

“Many places are already doing this but I would like to see it mandatory in England this year.”

Mr Crausby said: "I am delighted that the Food Standards Agency are now backing my plans to make it law for all restaurants and food shops in England to display hygiene scores.

“This is a common sense approach and the idea seems to be gathering broad support — I hope that this soon becomes a reality."