Pub is flush with success

A Telford pub is flush with success after its top-notch toilets won a national award.

Facilities at the Thomas Botfield, in the town centre, won the full five-star flush in the 2007 Loo of the Year Awards.

Toilet inspectors, who visited a total of 1,500 premises across the UK, were dazzled by the Wetherspoons pub's presentation.

Mark Ford, a manager at the pub, said it was no surprise their toilets had impressed as staff took huge pride in looking after them.

"We pay a lot of attention to them and they are kept very clean," said Mr Ford.

"The men's is a nice beige colour with really nice tiles. In the ladies all the fixtures and fittings are chrome."

It is hoped that highlighting high-standard toilets such as those at the Sherwood Street pub will set a standard for others across the UK to follow.

They were all judged against more than 100 different inspection criteria including decor, cleanliness, accessibility and hand washing and drying equipment. Unacceptable facilities were not graded at all while others were given between one and five stars.

Clare Hadley, general manager of the Thomas Botfield, said: "We are delighted with the award. The staff here work hard to ensure that the toilets are in first-class condition at all times and it's great that their efforts have been rewarded."

Awards director Richard Chisnell said: "The inspectors were impressed with the toilets at the Thomas Botfield and it thoroughly deserves its award."