AN Evesham hotel owner was taken at his word when he claimed Wychavon's public toilets were smart enough to eat in.

After the district cleaned up in the National Loo of the Year contest, John Jenkinson, of the Evesham Hotel, said he would be happy to take lunch in some of the local ones.

The dinner date was duly arranged, as he ate his words.

His hotel has won awards dating back over 13 years in the competition and he was quick to pay tribute to the district council as its 11 public conveniences were this year recognised by the contest's judges.

Awards are presented based on cleanliness and maintenance and the Wychavon loos took nine awards and two commendations.

Mr Jenkinson dined with the chairman of Wychavon's environmental committee, Don Lawley, with the main course consisting of the aptly-named Chicken Toulouse.

"There weren't any peas because we had carrots," joked Mr Jenkinson.

The district council's principal client services officer, Sharon Cresswell, said: "The way in which the awards are allocated have changed slightly but we're still proving that our loos are among the best in the country."