EIGHT pub toilets in Southampton have flushed their way into the Loo of The Year Awards 2019.

Inspectors made unannounced visits to thousands of toilet sites across the UK to judge the quality and standards of the bogs - and multiple Southampton pub toilets have been given a platinum rating.

The awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of away-from-home toilet provisions across the UK.

Each of the toilets visited are graded silver, gold, platinum or diamond, with unacceptable toilets not graded at all.

The toilets are judged against numerous criteria, including décor and maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility, hand washing, drying equipment and overall management.

One Wetherspoons pub on London Road was particularly pleased with their platinum rating due to their "first-class" toilets.

The Giddy Bridge manager, Alan Shorthouse, said: "We are delighted with the award. Staff at the pub 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 2019 managing director, Mike Bone, said: "The toilets at the eight pubs have been designed and fitted out to a very high standards and are both clean and well maintained. The pubs richly deserve their awards."

Among the pub toilets who were given a platinum award include The Standing Order, High Street; The Giddy Bridge, London Road, The Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis in Canutes Pavilion, Ocean Village; The Wagon Works, Southampton Road, Eastleigh; The Red Lion, Bitterne Road, Bitterne Village; The Lord Arthur Lee, West Street, Fareham; and The Crown Inn, West Street, Fareham, while The Bright Water Inn, Shirley, was given a gold rating.