A POPULAR Basingstoke Wetherspoon pub has been given a top hygiene rating by the council.

The Maidenhead Inn, on Winchester Street, has gained the top rating for its levels of hygiene in the council’s 'Scores on the Doors' programme.

The council’s inspectors awarded the pub a five-star rating.

Scores on the Doors aims to highlight hygiene standards in pubs, restaurants, takeaways and clubs across the borough.

Inspectors judge outlets on how hygienic and well-managed the food preparation at the premises is.

Each business is benchmarked against the same criteria: hygiene, structure and confidence in management.

The pub’s manager, Jordan Bennett, said: "We are delighted that we have gained the top rating and I’m sure our customers will welcome the news too.

"Standards of hygiene at the pub are of paramount importance.

"All of the staff work hard to ensure that the pub offers its customers the highest levels of hygiene at all times and we are delighted that our efforts have been recognised with a five-star rating."