READING'S iconic pie shop has received a new hygiene rating from food inspectors.

Sweeney & Todd in Castle Street, Reading was given a score of four our of five after an inspection was carried out on November 2, the Food Standards Agency's website shows.

It means that of Reading's 288 restaurants, cafes and canteens with ratings, 218 (76%) have ratings of five and none have zero ratings.

The investigative team praised the restaurant's "hygienic food handling", including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling, and storage.

The cafe was also commended for its cleanliness, along with the good condition of its facilities and building.

The management of food safety was noted as 'good', indicated by systems and checks in place to ensure served food is safe.

An official said the officers had "confidence that standards will be maintained in future", bringing it ahead of 76% of Reading's other restaurants, cafes and canteens which own five-star ratings.

Established for 40 years, Sweeney and Todd is a Reading institution serving award winning pies.