Brighton and Hove has more restaurants per person than anywhere else outside London. So it's hardly surprising some do not reach the required standard.

Every year there are complaints from visitors and residents that they have been victims of food poisoning.

Luckily, Brighton and Hove has one of the most pro-active teams in the UK tackling this problem.

It will not hesitate to bring cases to court and take punitive action against the worst offenders.

Magistrates are helping by imposing big fines. In one recent case, a £50,000 penalty was imposed on a filthy restaurant.

That may seem a lot of money but the fine was intended to hurt. It was a warning to both the restaurant and others in the city that they will pay for these offences.

It is too easy to dismiss food poisoning as a little bit of tummy trouble affecting people only for a few hours.

The most serious can cause serious illness and even death.

Environmental health officers are also taking positive measures to protect the public, including offering training to owners.

But it's the threat of closure that has the greatest effect on the worst owners.