MORE businesses have been awarded five stars for top standards of food hygiene in Taunton and Wellington.

Local businesses that prepare, cook or sell food have their food hygiene standards rated on a star system by Taunton Deane Council’s food safety team.

Five stars show excellent compliance, while an award of no stars indicates major breaches in food hygiene standards.

In all, 38 inspections were carried out to assess standards of hygiene and food safety and 25 received four and five stars.

Taunton’s Mambo bar and restaurant in Mill Lane was one of four awarded no stars.

Chris Hunt, general manager, said: “Those concerned at the visit are not around anymore as there has been a change in management.

“We have had a revisit and the problems have since been rectified.

“Although we were given a 0 rating, we have had no complaints from customers.”

And one of the top scorers was the Kings Arms in Staplegrove Road, which was given five stars.

Licensee Beverley Higgins said: “This is very good news.

“I think we were one of the first places to be scored when the system was introduced and we got four stars.

“We have maintained our high standards all the time – you never know when an environmental health officer is going to walk in.

“I’m very pleased we’ve managed to keep a high score and get five stars.”

Here is a full list of the latest scores:

* 5 star: Kings Arms, Taunton; The Globe Inn, Wellington; Subway, Taunton; Pauline's Pantry, Wellington; Ms Julie Hasell, Cotford St Luke; Mrs Angela Babb, Henlade; Kingsmead Community School, Wiveliscombe, Blackbrook County Primary School, Taunton; Superdrug Stores Plc, Wellington; Bindon House Hotel, Wellington; Yallands Farmhouse, Staplegrove; Somerset Care, Taunton; RJ & MJ Norvell, Langford Budville.

* 4 star: The Coal Orchard, Taunton, The Rumwell Inn, Bishops Hull; Blackdown Garden Centre Lake View Restaurant, West Buckland; Aroma's @ Bishops Lydeard, Taunton; Gluten Free Pastry Company, Creech St. Michael; Toni-Anne's Kitchen, Wellington; The Stables, Taunton Racecourse, Pitminster; Kiddi Caru Day Nursery, Taunton; Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton; North Town Primary School, Taunton; West Cornwall Pasty Co, Taunton; Keys Child Care Ltd, Greenham.

* 3 star: Pizza Express, Taunton; Sainsburys Staff Restaurant, Billet Street, Taunton; Summerhayes School, Norton Fitzwarren; Sainsburys Staff Restaurant/Kitchen, Heron Gate, Taunton.

* 2 star: The Bell Inn, Creech St. Michael; Tesco Restaurant, Castle Street, Taunton; The Pen & Quill, Taunton; Robs Somerset Bakery, West Buckland; Orchard Portman Nursing Home, Taunton.

* 0 Star: Mambo, Taunton; The Royal Crown Inn, Taunton; Tilek Food Mobile, B&Q car park, Taunton; The Chocolate Box, Wellington.

* For more on the food star scores click on the related link.