The regions, towns and cities with the poorest hygiene ratings have been revealed.

Redbridge and Waltham Forest ranked in the bottom 10 of the London regional food hygiene rankings, with average ratings of 3.76 and 3.82 respectively.

The report was published by Yorkshire-based eLearning provider High Speed Training which analysed Food Standards Agency data from a quarter of a million food businesses across the UK.

London achieved an overall average rating of 4.02, ranking as the lowest of the UK region rankings, based on hygiene scores from 31,925 food establishments.

Barking and Dagenham was rated as the lowest of the London rankings with a rating of 3.43.

City of London ranked top of the London regional food hygiene rankings, coming in 1st place with an average rating of 4.55 out of 5.

Data team leader on the project Lee Batchelor said: "Our report aims to improve consumers’ understanding of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme and the Scottish Food Hygiene Information Scheme, so they can make informed decisions around where to eat and drink.

"The ratings are based on more than just personal hygiene. There are different areas of inspection and the schemes do have their limitations. It’s just about understanding that and knowing where to get the right information."

Takeaways were the biggest offenders across the UK, with 1 in 9 rated two or lower - which comes after food delivery platform Just Eat announced plans to invest £1 million into a food safety programme and introduce a minimum standard of 3 for all new restaurant sign ups.

Overall the lowest average scores for UK towns and cities were found in Walsall, Luton, Birmingham and Bolton.

The full report can be viewed at: www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/food-hygiene-ratings-report-2019/