A RECENTLY refurbished pub has been awarded top marks for hygiene by council inspectors.

Durham County Council has awarded five stars to the Horse Shoe Inn in Crook through its Scores on the Doors programme.

Inspectors visited the Wetherspoon’s-run pub on April 22 and have now published their findings.

Scores on the Doors aims to highlight hygiene standards in pubs, restaurants, takeaways and clubs across the area.

The inspectors judge the businesses on how hygienic and well-managed the food preparation at the premises is and each venture is awarded marks for hygiene, structural and confidence in management.

The Horse Shoe, which re-opened in February after a £1.2m renovation, was awarded the top rating available.

The pub’s manager, Carl Maddison, said: “I am delighted that we have gained the top rating and I’m sure our customers will welcome the news too.

“Standards of hygiene at the pub are of paramount importance.

“All of the staff work hard to ensure that the pub offers its customers the highest levels of hygiene at all time and we are delighted that our efforts have been recognised with the five star rating.”