ALL butchers who sell unwrapped raw meat and any kind of ready-to-eat food must be licensed by the local authority under new government regulations.

The deadline for butchers to get their new licences is November 1 after which health inspectors will actively seek out those shops that have failed to register.

Even though Bolton Council Environmental Health department has written twice to around 80 butchers they feel will need licensing, only 18 have replied so far.

And in Wigan where 94 premsies were contacted by the council in June, only 11 have applied.

Under current legislation all shops selling food, including butchers, have to register with the local authority 28 days prior to opening for business.

Now the new regulations - which includes fines of up to £5,000 for non-registration - mean that butchers who sell food such as cooked meats, pies and vegetables must have

their premises examined.

In addition to meeting with existing regulations, butchers selling raw and cooked food must now comply with enhanced hygiene requirements.

Council spokesman Steve Sumner said: "Our inspectors will help them as much as possible, but if butchers fail to apply then we will have to consider formal action"

Councillor Guy Harkin, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: " It's in the interests of the butchers to comply with the new national licensing regulations so that they and their customers can be sure that everything possible is being done to ensure food safety and hygiene."

Anyone wanting further information can contact the Food Control Unit on Bolton 01204.336500. Those living in the Wigan area should contact 01942 827907 or 01942 828142.