FOOD handlers in Pendle have been receiving health safety advice as part of National Food Safety Week.

Pendle Council's environmental health service co-ordinated a project to raise awareness and increase standards of food safety across a wide range of food handlers and consumers.

It targeted healthy eating when eating out, healthy barbecues and guidance for Islamic food handlers with a range of information made available from council offices as well as butchers and supermarkets.

Stuart Arnott, principal environmental health officer, said: "It is always encouraging to see businesses and the public taking on board this crucial issue.

"It is very tempting to be complacent on the issue of food safety and we all have a part to play. With dining out and social barbecues being an integral part of our life-styles, we need to make sure that the pleasures aren't replaced by sorrows caused by food poisoning."

Members of the public can visit the council's web-site at www.pendle.gov.uk for information on food poisoning and the wide range of help and advice available from the environmental health service or contact the service at Colne Town Hall on 01282 661661.