THE worst and best services in the country have been ranked – and one in Lancashire has been named in the bottom five.

A motorway service area overlooking the Severn Bridge has been ranked the least popular in England.

Severn View services on the M48 in Gloucestershire scored a customer satisfaction rating of just 72% in a survey by watchdog Transport Focus.

The Moto-owned site has received several critical Google reviews in recent months.

One described it as "tired and overdue a refit", while another said it is "not very clean" and the restaurant had "flies buzzing about".

Other reviewers described the toilet facilities as "grim", "falling apart" and "dismal".

The Severn Bridge formed part of the M4 - a major route between west London and south-west Wales - until the motorway was relocated in 1996 and the road renamed the M48.

Norton Canes on the M6 Toll in Staffordshire topped the ranking for the second year running in the annual survey, at 99%.

Transport Focus surveyed 11,600 customers for their opinion on subjects such as cleanliness, food and drink range, friendliness of staff and value for money at 111 service areas in England between February and April.

The second lowest ranked service area was Burtonwood on the M62 in Cheshire, where 73% of visitors were satisfied.

This was followed by Cullompton on the M5 in Devon (74%), Frankley southbound on the M5 in Worcestershire (75%) and Charnock Richard southbound on the M6 in Lancashire (77%).

Almost two-thirds of services received a satisfaction score of at least 90%.

This is despite 59% of all respondents rating the food or drink they bought as being value for money.

Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: "Motorway users tell us they have a good experience when visiting service areas, but it's clear that many do not feel the experience is good value for money.

"They want pleasant, well maintained facilities with good quality food choices. Motorway services continue to play an important safety role, providing drivers with the opportunity to take a break."

RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: "Motorway service areas are a vital amenity, and it is great to see that such a large proportion of drivers have a positive experience at them. This is particularly the case at this time of year."

Highest ranked motorway services

Ranking out of 111

1 Norton Canes (M6 toll) Roadchef

2 Heston Westbound (M4) Moto

3 Gloucester Southbound (M5) Westmorland

4 Stafford Northbound (M6) Moto

5 South Mimms (M25) Welcome Break

Lowest ranked motorway services

111 Severn View (M48) Moto

110 Burtonwood (M62) Welcome Break

109 Cullompton (M5) Extra

108 Frankley Southbound (M5) Moto

107 Charnock Richard southbound (M6) Welcome Break

Of the 111 service stations, 33 received a satisfaction score of 95 per cent or above.

Each motorway service area, including the 78 which are in pairs on either side of the road, was treated individually.

This means that results can be different for north and south, or east and westbound services at the same location.