FRANKLEY service area on the M5 has been branded the fourth worst in the country in a survey by watchdog Transport Focus.

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 least popular was Severn View services on the M48 in Gloucestershire which scored a customer satisfaction rating of just 72 percent.

The site has received several critical Google reviews in recent months including "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 second lowest ranked service area was Burtonwood on the M62 in Cheshire, where 73 percent of visitors were satisfied.

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

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

This is despite 59 percent 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.

"Drivers in the survey confirm they feel less stressed and are more alert after stopping at motorway services."

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