ITS public toilets were once considered amongst the worst in the country -- but Blackpool is raising the bog standard to feature in national awards.

Loo attendants working for the council and Blackpool Pleasure Beach were flushed with success at the 17th annual Loo of the Year Awards.

At their worst, local loos were condemned by consumer magazine, Which!.

But, in an attempt to make conveniences cleaner and brighter, the council's toilets were taken over earlier this year by Swedish firm, Danfo.

The firm has now completed major upgrades and refurbishment of the resort's conveniences as part of a 15-year-contract to improve toilets in the town.

Oliver Weisflog, managing director of the competition's sponsor, Cannon Hygiene, said: "The Loo Attendant of the Year Award recognises people who are often neglected but whose work really matters, doing the everyday jobs that make our environment so much more pleasant.

"The dedication of staff like those in Blackpool, and the expertise of firms like Cannon Hygiene, means that public toilets are no longer a national disgrace but a source of genuine pride."

There was also praise for Blackpool Pleasure Beach, a regular winner of awards for the state of its toilets. It also won in the attendant of the year category.

This year's competition gained more than 800 entries from pubs, schools, offices and other groups from across the UK.

The awards were presented by TV weather presenter, Sian Lloyd, at a ceremony in Birmingham last week.