IT is encouraging to know so many of the county’s food outlets have good hygiene standards.

The Scores on the Doors scheme has been a huge success in giving diners this vital information.

Patrons are given peace of mind when they visit an eatery knowing how it has fared in the ratings system, run by the Food Standards Agency.

The symbols are clear and easily understandable.

People can still choose to go to those with lower ratings if they wish, but at least they know what they are letting themselves in for.

The scheme is just as important for the restaurants and other establishments involved.

Those with a five-star rating can proudly display it in their window and are likely to see a boom in visitors as a result.

And those with a lower rating know they must buck up their ideas and strive to improve to go up the ratings.

The only question left is, where shall we eat tonight?