England’s filthiest restaurants should be forced by law to display hygiene ratings, inspectors say.

Outlets in Wales have had to display food hygiene ratings since 2013, but no such law exists in England (nor Australia)

Somehow, New York, Los Angeles Toronto and San Mateo County (near San Francisco) have managed to figure it out.

Inspectors say this results in premises that score lower than three out of five – meaning they must improve hygiene standards – failing to display ratings.

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) said it believed the display of hygiene notices should be voluntary.

Of course they did.

The BBC’s Inside Out team filmed a hygiene inspection in Leicester, where evidence of mouse and rat droppings, dirty dishes and floors and mouldy kitchen surfaces was uncovered.

Andrew Wood, from the inspection team, said: “I find it frustrating [that ratings are not displayed].

“Members of the public are not always able to check the ratings online so in a way they are going into these places blind.

“It must also be frustrating for businesses that have achieved good ratings.”