A Sheerness pub and restaurant has been praised for the quality and standard of its toilets in the Loo of the Year awards.

The Belle and Lion, which opened in the High Street in July, was awarded a platinum star rating which is given only to outlets which offer “exceptional toilets”.

The Wetherspoon-owned business’s bogs cost £100,000.

The former Brittain and Hobbs electrical goods store underwent a £1.2m refit earlier this year which also saw an extension built to the rear of the property.

The distinctive stone wash basins are worth thousands of pounds each and were imported from Thailand.

Inspectors made unannounced visits to hundreds of sites across the UK where they judged criteria including decor, maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility, hand washing and drying equipment and overall management.

All of them are graded from bronze to gold with unacceptable lavatories not graded at all.

The prize is aimed at highlighting and improving standards of toilet provision across the UK.

Manager Christopher Smith said: “I am delighted with the award. Staff at the pub work hard to ensure the toilets are in first-class condition at all times and it is great that this has been recognised by the inspectors.”

The Loo of the Year awards managing director, Mike Bone, said: “The toilets at The Belle and Lion have been designed and fitted out to a very high standard and are both clean and well maintained.

“The pub richly deserves its platinum award ?the highest individual award the judges can deliver.”