BRIDGWATER Service Station has been ranked fourth worst in England, according to a new survery. 

Transport Focus surveyed 9,600 customers for their opinion on subjects such as toilets, staffing and food at 111 service areas in England between February and April.

The worst service station was Thurrock on the M25, followed by Toddington southbound, Southwaite northbound, Newport Pagnell southbound and then Bridgwater. 

The best servive station was found to be Norton Canes in Staffordshire. 

Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: "As the summer holiday getaway gets into full swing, it's good to see motorway services customers feel they get a good experience.

"Motorway services play an important role in providing the break motorists need. Drivers tell us they feel less stressed and more awake.

"Operators need to focus on ensuring customers see their experience as value for the money they've paid - that there is a good range of food on offer and that buildings are maintained to a high standard."

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: "No-one expects motorway service areas to be five-star attractions but they do serve an important safety role for those on long journeys, particularly drivers who need to take a break.

"When a service area gets a reputation for being unattractive, the risk is that people put off the stop they ought to make, and that can have serious consequences if they then run out of fuel or fall asleep.

"What we need is a basic, minimum standard for all our motorway service areas: an easy-to-navigate layout, clean facilities and fairly priced fuel. It's a simple formula but one that some stop-off places still don't seem able to get right."

Transport Focus surveyed customers at 111 motorway service areas in England.

The top 10 in order of highest rating were:

1. Norton Canes

2. Stafford southbound

3. Wetherby

4. Hilton Park

5. Corley Southbound

6. Tebay Southbound

7. Pease Pottage

8. Woodall southbound

=9. Killington Lake

=9. Tebay Northbound

The bottom 10 in order of lowest rating, with Thurrock being the worst, were:

1. Thurrock

2. Toddington southbound

3. Southwaite northbound

=4. Newport Pagnell southbound

=4. Bridgwater

6. Toddington northbound

=7. Burtonwood

=7. Clacket Lane eastbound

=7. Leicester Forest East northbound

10. Winchester southbound