Flushed with success and aiming towards the Premier League

Once again public toilets in Christchurch have come out sparkling in the Loo of the Year Awards.

This year no less than eight of the borough’s conveniences have gained the ultimate Five Star Award with all of the others getting four stars.

Five Stars went to Highcliffe Castle (inside and outside), River Way Recreation Ground, Bridge Street Car Park, Saxon Square, Mudeford Quay, Mudeford Sandbank Block 3 and Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre.

The accolade reflects ongoing improvements to services made by the Council and its cleaning contractors including Wettons and Cleanrite.

Cllr Sally Derham Wilkes, chairman of the Council’s Community Services Committee, said: “This is a tremendous accolade. The standard of our public loos just keeps on getting better every year. Four of our public toilets got five stars last year so we’ve now managed to double that.

“The Loo of the Year inspectors normally come round during the summer when the council’s loos are at their busiest. We never know when they are coming and so can never prepare for it. The awards truly reflect the quality of service seen on the day. We have certainly found that where the council takes pride in and looks after its loos, then the thousands of people who use them each year respect them much more”

Last year the council came sixth in the Loo of the Year Premier League of Local Authorities in the country and will know the outcome of this year’s league on 4 December.