IF you are caught short in the city centre, the place to head for is the Waterend Barn.

For the St Albans Wetherspoon pub has achieved a five star rating in the Loo of the Year Awards 2011 – the maximum score it could achieve.

The annual awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of “away from home” toilet provision across the UK and authorised inspectors make unannounced visits to judge loos on criteria including decor and maintenance, cleanliness, accessible facilities, hygiene equipment and overall management and customer care.

Flushed with success, Waterend Barn manager, Steve Strange, said: “I am delighted with the award. Staff at the pub work hard to ensure that the toilets are in first-class condition at all times and it is great that this has been recognised by the inspectors.”