The Top Brink Inn, Lumbutts, and Pennine Lodge Residential Home, have both received five stars in the council's hygiene star scoring system, after inspections of their kitchens and food safety standards.

Mark Ashton, who co-owns the Top Brink with his brother Martin, said they were highly delighted with the scores.

"We have a very good workforce here, who all work very hard. Five stars is not just about the inspection but about achieving high standards constantly. There's a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into this: it's a real team effort," said Mark, who praised his wife, Paula, and Martin, who have both been instrumental in keeping the documentation up-to-date.

Four full-time chefs - Simon Todd, Johanna Wallis, Daniel Hughes and John Nelson, and part-time chef Andrew Cannon - work at the family run business.

"This is a food-led establishment; a destination pub and people come here for the food. We make all our dishes on the premises, which adds to the regulations but the customers appreciate the difference," said Martin.

Pennine Lodge Residential Home has also received five stars. The specialist care unit has improved on its initial score of four stars last year.

Pat Asquith, deputy chief executive, said the owner, Barry Potten, believed in investing in the home and the staff.

"We are really pleased with what is going on at Pennine Lodge. There is a lot of investment and we have a rolling programme of refurbishment. We have the budget to invest in our staff and we encourage staff development."

The two chefs, Victor Parker and Ian Makin, have certain considerations to take into account when creating a menu for the vulnerable clients of Pennine Lodge, a residential and specialist dementia care unit.

"For many of our clients keeping weight on is crucial to keeping them healthy," explained Pat.

"We have to provide high calorie meals and snacks to help them keep their weight. We have good menus, vegetarian options and wholefoods on offer."

The Top Brink and Pennine Lodge join the other two Todmorden businesses, which have made it to the top of the score board with full marks. Grandma Pollards, Walsden, and Age Concern, Ambulance Hall, received five stars last time.

Tudor Chippy has gone up the scale with a four star rating, an improvement from their initial two stars from an earlier inspection and Mill Reed Lodge Residential Home has also gone up to four stars; up from three. Scaitcliffe Hall has dropped from one star to no stars.

General manager of Scaitcliffe Hall, Neil Sharma, said the latest score had been based on the first inspection, which the hotel disputed, and an inspection, at which he was not present and therefore unable to provide the relevant paperwork.

"We are having the whole hotel re-inspected in the next 30 days.