Cafe's clean sweep for hygiene

A cafe at a tourist attraction in Staffordshire has scooped a top award for its food hygiene standards.

The Lady Walk Tearoom at the Shugborough estate in Milford has been awarded a five-star rating following an inspection.

It was given the accreditation under the county-wide Food Safety Star Rating Scheme.

The scheme, operated by the eight local authorities in Staffordshire, shows how well businesses are run in accordance with their legal obligations under food hygiene laws and highlights where improvements in food safety could be made.

The more stars awarded, the better the premises are in terms of legal compliance and standards of hygiene. Shugborough group manager Liz Carruthers said: "We are over the moon that the extremely high hygiene standards within the tearoom have been recognised.

"The staff in the Lady Walk Tearoom work hard to provide excellent, home-cooked food made – using locally sourced ingredients where possible – to the highest standards."

The tearoom is currently taking bookings from offices, businesses and social groups for festive lunches in November and evening dinners in December.

It re-opens to the public during the estate's Candlelit Christmas Evenings from December 3 to 6. Staff will be serving up festive fare while there is a host of family entertainment going on at the estate, including a large craft and gift marquee, Father Christmas in his grotto, snow showers, reindeer, brass bands and carol singers.

At the weekend a festive feel took over the venue as visitors to the stately home were treated to crafts, gifts and festive food as part of its Christmas Craft and Food Show.

There were also cooking demonstrations, card making workshops, glass blowing, wood turning and an area for children featuring circus skills, goat racing and a pets' corner.

More information is available and discounted tickets can be booked on-line at www.shugborough.org.uk or from the box office on 0845 126 0797.