A RUNCORN pub has won acclaim for the quality and standards of their toilets in the Loo of the Year Awards 2014.

The Ferry Boat in Church Street, Runcorn has achieved a gold rating.

The awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of 'away from home' toilet provision across the UK.

Authorised inspectors make unannounced visits to hundreds of toilets at sites across the UK, in order to judge them.

All of the toilets are graded from bronze to gold with unacceptable toilets not graded at all.

The toilets are judged against numerous criteria, including décor and maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility, hand washing and drying equipment and overall management.

Ferry Boat manager, Kate Webster, said: "I am delighted with the award.

"Staff at the pub work hard to ensure the toilets are in a first-class conditional at all times and it is great that this has been recognised by the inspectors."

Loo of the Year Awards 2014 managing director, Mike Bone, said: "The toilets at this pub have been designed and fitted out to a very high standard and are clean and well maintained.

"The pub richly deserves its award."