UP to 100 food outlets in Taunton Deane and West Somerset risk losing nearly half of their customers as a result of new regulations, it is claimed this week.

The warning comes after it emerged 75 businesses in the Deane and 25 in the Minehead area were scored 'generally satisfactory' or below in food hygiene ratings.

New rules mean firms selling food o the public must display the score given to them under the scheme.

The vast majority in the two districts were awarded a four, meaning they were judged 'good', or five (very good).

But 8.59 per cent of the 873 Deane outlets and 4.58 per cent of those in West Somerset were rated zero (urgent improvement needed), one (major improvement needed), two (improvement needed) or three (generally satisfactory).

According to The NFU Mutual Food Hygiene Ratings Report published this week, 44 per cent of people wold turn away from even their favourite eaterie if they discovered it was rated three or less.

NFU Mutual's hospitality sector specialist Darren Seward said: "Our report shows that when it comes to food safety, customers have naturally high standards and that a 'good' score can no longer be seen as an aspiration, but a minimum benchmark.

"Hopefully, any future legislation will drive excellence in food safety and it's important that businesses don't forget that the ratings are there to keep people safe as well as to uphold their place in a competitive market."

Mr Seward praised the majority of fours and fives, but added: "Imminent compulsory displays are destined to be a game changer for those businesses struggling to reach the top grades.

"In advance of legislation changes, all business owners should prioritise their food hygiene plans and processes, acting now to ensure they have considered all hygiene and paperwork aspects rated by their local authority, including cleanliness, structure and confidence in management, to ensure a continued rating of four or five for the day an inspector calls."