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A NUMBER of businesses have been handed a poor food hygiene rating in the latest round of inspections.
A convenience store is among five businesses that have been told to make a "major improvement" in the latest results published this month.
The businesses, which include a number of takeaways across County Durham, Teesside and South Tyneside, have been handed a one-star hygiene rating.
Across the UK, food outlets including convenience stores, restaurants, pubs, takeaways, hospitals and care homes are given a hygiene rating.
This is based on hygiene and safety, structural compliance and confidence in management, which helps consumers decide on where they want to eat.