TAKEAWAYS in the Bolton postcode area are rated among the worst in the UK for food hygiene.

In the area, which includes all of Bolton as well as parts of Bury, Chorley and Rossendale, there are 429 takeaways rated by the Food Standards Agency.

Three of these - all in Bolton - are rated zero, while a further 31 (22 in Bolton and 9 in Bury) were given a one.

Chop Suey Bar, in Farnworth, Grill 2 Thrill, in Great Lever, and Shah’s, in Higher Bridge Street all have the lowest possible rating.

Both Grill 2 Thrill and Shahs were told ‘urgent’ or ‘major’ improvement was required to all three areas; food handling, cleanliness and condition, and management of food safety.

For Chop Suey Bar, their most recent zero - awarded in February - was their fourth in a row.

The takeaway declined to provide a comment and hung up the phone when The Bolton News contacted the establishment.

Across the whole BL postcode area, there is an average rating of 3.62 - making it the joint fourth worst in the UK along with Birmingham.

Only Southall (3.14), Wigan (3.43) and Ilford (3.53) are ranked lower out of 106 postcode areas, according to a study of more than 450,000 food businesses by personal injury company Claims Direct.

The national average rating for takeaways is 4.06 and the Bolton postcode area’s restaurants, hotels and pubs also fall below their respective averages.

Bolton Council said it works closely with badly rated takeaways to try to bring them up to scratch.

A spokesman said: “The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme aims to help people make a more informed decision about where they buy their food.

“The ratings are based on criteria including food handling practices, physical condition and cleanliness of the premises and facilities, and food safety management.

“When businesses receive low scores and are struggling we work closely with them and advise them on how to achieve higher ratings in their next inspections. Look out for the sticker in the window to see what rating a premises has.”