A NORTH Petherton pub “very well embraced” by the community is celebrating a top hygiene rating.

The Compass Tavern, based on Bridgwater Road, is among the businesses with a five-star hygiene rating.

Vassos Shangolis, the general manager, said: “It really is the case of checking everything at the beginning and at the end of every shift, check and double-check everything.

“We need to check everything is cleaned, check the temperatures, and then stay on top of it.

“It is hard work but it is worth it. The cleaner the kitchen, the more we have everything under control.

“It is time-consuming of course because everything is done to the highest standard on a daily basis.

“It takes two hours a day, which is a long time for such a small kitchen.”

Mr Shangolis also said the business has been “embraced very well by the community”.

The pub serves traditional dishes and Sunday roasts and opens at 12pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 11.30am on Sunday.