IF you need to spend a penny when out and about, Evesham and Pershore could be the place to do it.

For Wychavon District Council is one of only three local authorities in England and Wales to receive five or more five-star awards in the Loo of the Year awards in Belfast this week.

The news was welcomed by Sharon Casswell, the council client services manager, who said: "We aim to keep a high standard for facilities and local people do like to use them.

"We recognise the importance of public toilets and we have an ongoing programme of refurbishment."

The public loos in Pershore, close to the Abbey, received a lot of publicity when they were opened because of their use of piped music throughout the day.

Ms Casswell also announced that a new public convenience is to be built in Abbey Park, Evesham, within the next 12 months.

The overall winner in this year's Loo of the Year was the MOTO, motorway services group who have 52 sites in motorway service areas throughout England and Wales.

Thirty one sites achieved five star status while the remaining 21 were awarded four stars.

The corporate provider title went to pub chain J D Wetherspoon and the award for accessibility was given to McDonalds restaurants.

The three local authorities in England to achieve distinction were Wychavon, Westminster City Council and West Wiltshire district council.

"We received a total of 1.046 entries this year across our fifty separate entry categories," said awards director Richard Chisnell. "This is significantly more than last year and reflects the growing commitment to higher washroom standards by an increasing number of "away from home" toilet providers."