PEOPLE are being put at risk by an "unacceptably high" number of restaurants, takeaways and food companies in Bolton failing hygiene tests.

Nearly half of restaurants and catering outlets in Bolton have failed tests, it has been revealed.

Officers from the Foods Standards Agency (FSA) visited 981 takeaways, catering companies and restaurants in Bolton to carry out hygiene examinations and 489 premises failed the tests.

Bolton's results proved to be far worse than the national average.

Across the country, about one-third of premises failed the tests, with 118,000 businesses out of 370,000 visited by FSA officers proving to have infringements. Rigorous tests carried out by FSA officers include checking for cracks in windows -- which can lead to bacteria contaminating food -- overflowing dustbins, floor cleanliness, staff hygiene, food heat, whether meat is stored in the right place -- even whether dishes are correctly stacked, as it is important for fresh food not to be prepared near leftovers.

The survey was carried out as part of a £20 million national campaign to tackle poor food hygiene standards.

Sickbags were sent to Bolton restaurants, cafes and takeaways to highlight the need for strict hygiene levels.

The campaign is the first phase of a five-year plan from the FSA to cut incidents of food poisoning by 20 per cent by 2006.

An estimated 5.5 million people a year are hit by food poisoning.

Salmonella affected more than 60 people, with a further 20 suspected cases, after an outbreak in Farnworth over Christmas and the New Year.

Chairman of the FSA Sir John Krebs said: "The survey reveals that the levels of reported food poisoning across the North-west remain unacceptably high.

"Most cases are preventable through simple good hygiene practices like washing hands at regular intervals when preparing food.

"But Bolton's infringement level was unacceptably high."