INDIAN restaurant and takeaway staff from across the Wychavon district took part in a food safety training scheme.

Chefs and business owners were invited to learn about a range of health and safety issues during the seminar, held at the Civic Centre in Pershore on Thursday.

Councillor Emma Stokes, board member for Environment and Street Scene at Wychavon District Council, said: "Our Indian food businesses are already delivering some of the highest food safety standards in the country, but we know they were concerned about the impact of the new Food Information Regulations on allergens, which present a real challenge to small businesses.

"We know business owners value the advice given to help them change menu descriptions and current working practices to meet the new legal requirements.

"The level of participation by the community shows they are keen to do things well and we strongly believe one of the reasons for the success of this scheme is the input of local community leaders."

The event was developed with support from community leaders and the Bangladesh Caterers Association.

It was one of six held across the county and run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services, which looks after environmental health on behalf of Wychavon.

The aim was to help Indian businesses better understand Food Information Regulations and their responsibilities regarding allergens in food.

It comes after a man died from anaphylactic shock in January 2014 after eating a curry with peanuts in.

The owner of the business that served the curry was jailed for six years for manslaughter in May this year.