WYCOMBE District Council is backing this year's National Food Safety Week with special courses.

During Food Safety week, which runs until Sunday, Wycombe District Council will be offering a free basic food hygiene certificate course for carers, hygiene awareness courses for family support groups and a visual display in the the council offices, in Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe.

The week is designed to raise awareness of food hygiene issues, and its theme is 'wash and dry your hands every time'.

Up to half a million men and a quarter of women fail to wash their hands after going to the toilet. One germ can multiply into four million in just eight hours.

Key messages in the campaign include cross contamination, temperatures, clean kitchens and safe cooking.