Croydon has been named as one of the top spots in the capital for good food.

The independent Good Food for London report highlights the borough as among the best for producing, advising and providing top-quality grub.

It scored six out of seven from Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, and London Food Link, second behind Richmond.

Croydon got top marks for community food growing, improving school food, helping animal welfare by buying cage-free eggs and for participating in the Healthier Catering Commitment Scheme.

It also got graded for being a Fairtrade borough, and half a mark each for taking steps to support sustainable fish, and for its food-waste collection programme.

Councillor Margaret Mead, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “Food quality is an important issue for Croydon Council.

“We do all we can to ensure our residents get the best advice, and that food served in council locations is healthy and sustainable.

“This is the first time that this kind of food audit has been carried out across all London boroughs and it’s good to see that our hard work has been recognised - now we must aim for the top spot.”

Ben Reynolds, director of the London Food Link network, said: “London boroughs have a highly influential role to play in ensuring that the food we eat is safe, healthy and good for farmers and the planet.

“If all London Boroughs took the simple, affordable and effective action that we surveyed, it would significantly improve the health and well-being of Londoners, the livelihoods of farmers and other food providers, and the sustainability of the food system on which we all depend.”