EIGHT local authorities have worked together to achieve national recognition for the quality of their food safety service

Environmental Health Sections throughout North Yorkshire have been awarded ISO 9002 registration for not only raising standards, but also ensuring consistency across the county.

Hambleton is among those to receive recognition, following a series of inspections of all food premises, from large factories to small corner shops, along with investigations into complaints about food and food standards.

Councillor David Blades, Hambleton District Council's cabinet spokesman on environmental health, said: "There have been concerns expressed that the service provided by authorities enforcing food safety has varied quite considerably.

"This award recognises that the partner services now work to the same methods and standards."

The other seven authorities to achieve accreditation are Richmondshire District Council, Craven District Council, Harrogate Borough Council, City of York Council, Selby District Council, Scarborough Council and Ryedale District Council.

Coun Blades said: "Residents and businesses can take comfort in the fact that Hambleton, and other authorities in the district, are all working to nationally agreed standards.

"To achieve quality accreditation in any service is difficult, but to apply the standard across eight authorities has been a challenge."