And the winners are...

The cleaning industry came out en masse on the 2nd December for the much loved Loo of the Year Awards.Despite challenging economic times the 2011 event was a sell-out success with support from a wide range of members of the cleaning industry

Ceredigion County Council won the much coveted UK Overall Winners Trophy, only the fourth council to win the Award, in the 24th Anniversary Loo of the Year Awards competition to find the very best 'away from home' toilets in the UK Awards managing director,Mike Bone comments:"Despite the economic climate which has led to unprecedented public toilet closures, Ceredigion County Council continues to place significant importance on provision of first class toilets that contain the facilities their residents and visitors need and expect when in Ceredigion.

Their excellent public toilets, and toilets in schools, and other council buildings, are setting the standard throughout the UK." "Leading toilet providers recognise the importance of meeting this basic human need and entries for Loo of the Year Awards continue at high levels despite the economic situation. Standards in Awards entrant's toilets are improving - 78% of the total entries achieved the top 5 Star grading (58% in 2009).This independent assessment is valued, particularly by third party providers, cleaning companies, FM companies and entrants from the hospitality, leisure and entertainment sectors." Other major UK Trophy Winners were:McDonald's for individual category entries, Carmarthenshire County Council for public toilet entries, JD Wetherspoon for corporate provider entries,Asda Galashiels for accessible facilities, Highland Council for Changing Places Toilets,Tesco Omagh - TC Contractors for baby change facilities,The Phoenix Centre Sandwich for ECO friendly toilets, Highland Council for Toilets in Education and Staffordshire County Council for Local Authority Toilet entries.

Trophy winners in the associated Attendant of the Year Awards, for the important people who put the sparkle and pride into the UK's toilets,were:Westminster City Council -Great Portland Street Toilets (individual attendant team),McDonald's (in-house cleaning team) and Asda Stores (external contactor team).

Representatives from the top twenty Local Authorities public toilet providers - the Loo of the Year Awards 'Premier League',were also honoured at the prestigious Awards Presentation Event held at the four star Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth along with thirty one members of the Awards 'Champions League', the Standards of Excellence for participants achieving five or more five star Award grades. Singing and comedy were provided by popular actor, entertainer and comedian Sean Williamson as the after lunch entertainment.

The 2011 Awards were run in association with Airdri,The British Cleaning Council,The Changing Places Consortium, Clos-o-Mat and, Vectair and Wallgate.The four national tourism bodies - Visit England, Visit Scotland,Visit Wales and The Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Danfo, SCA Tork and Willings Services supported this year's Awards.

Full details of the 2011 Awards results are available on the Awards website:www.loo.co.uk The 25th anniversary Loo of the Year Awards special Event will be held on 7th December 2012, venue to be confirmed.