A group with responsibility for regulating food law throughout West Dunbartonshire has been rated top in Scotland.

The council's environmental health food and business group carries out routine inspections to make sure food businesses comply with food hygiene and certain standards for labelling food and making sure it's good quality.

The group has been awarded the best rating that is available of "substantial assurance" by Food Standards Scotland.

It has also been praised for three areas of good practice including a clear enforcement policy, food enforcement service plan and comprehensive procedures.

A spokeswoman for the council, said: "It means the team’s procedures are effective in supporting the delivery of their objectives.

"These include supporting business compliance with food law, tackling food fraud and protecting and improving public health in West Dunbartonshire.

"Just one other local authority in Scotland has achieved the rating to date."

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Because of the excellent rating the council does not have to make an action plan and can continue with its current way of working.

Councillor Ian Dickson, convener of corporate services, said: “I am delighted to see our food authority gain the highest rating in Scotland.

“Our environmental health team work extremely hard to ensure that food standards are kept high across West Dunbartonshire.

"They issue enforcement notices where required and ensure any business falling below this standard is given support to make changes.”