With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, Slough Borough Council have given advice to the towns romantics to ensure a memorable evening doesn’t leave you with a funny taste in your mouth.

Those looking to celebrate the day with a candlelit table at a restaurant or a takeaway in front of a film are being urged to check the hygiene rating of the food premises you’re looking to book.

To view the hygiene ratings of all the town’s restaurants and takeaways, a full national database can be accessed by clicking here. The council’s food safety team have been performing inspections of establishments across the borough, scoring them on several areas.

The rating does not cover food quality or customer service. It does, however, highlight the hygiene of the kitchen, the training of staff, how the food is prepared and how the food is stored. A rating of five shows an excellent quality of hygiene in the property, whereas a zero or one rating shows a need for many improvements to be made.

The food safety team have recommended choosing restaurants or takeaways with a rating of three or above.

Councillor Pavitar K Mann, lead member for regulation and consumer protection, said: “There is nothing less romantic than a horrible stomach bug so if you are picking a restaurant for a big date or a takeaway for the sofa, make sure you check the food hygiene ratings.

“It is quick and easy to do online so you can do all you can to make sure your Valentine’s Day is filled with love and not lurgies.”