TIP-top Kidderminster Hospital has shone in an independent cleanliness and friendliness survey.

The hospital, which was downgraded in September, scored high standards in the Government initiative to clean up Britain's hospitals.

The Patient Environment Programme was launched by Health Secretary Alan Milburn to ensure hospitals maintained high standards of cleanliness and made the continued improvements expected by patients.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust revealed Kidderminster scored four along with Newtown Hospital, Worcester.

The Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, which had the majority of £250,000 trust money for improvements, scored three.

Ronkswood Hospital, Worcester, also scored three.

Castle Street, Worcester, which will close in 12 months, scored two.

Trust nursing and midwifery director Cathryn Plain said: "The aim of the inspections was to deliver improvements and once those improvements were made, ensuring standards are maintained.

"We felt it wouldn't be the thing to do to spend money on Ronkswood and Castle Street as they'll be replaced with the new Worcester hospital."

The hospitals were given just 24 hours notice before they were inspected and staff were not told which areas would be visited until the day.

Inspectors graded on a level of one to four - one being unacceptable and four being of a high standard.