COMPLAINTS about Bournemouth restaurants and takeaways have dropped substantially in the past three years, official figures show.

The council’s environmental health team has received just 13 complaints about local food establishments so far in the 2012/13 financial year and has visited seven premises.

This compares to 40 complaints in 2011/12, when 16 premises were visited, and 58 complaints in 2010/11, when 28 were visited by officers.

Louise Jones, environmental health team manager, said: “We carry out regular inspections of all food businesses and in addition have launched the food hygiene rating scheme; details of businesses ratings can be found at www.food.uk/ratings. The number of complaints has fallen over the last three years and we will continue to work with local businesses to ensure high standards are maintained.”