A CUMBRIAN motorway services has become the first to be awarded five stars by a national tourist board.

Tebay Services South, situated between J38 and J39 of the M6, underwent a ‘rigorous’ inspection scheme by Visit England, and was the only services in the UK to be given the accolade.

CEO Sarah Dunning said: “We are delighted to have received the five star rating and are very proud of our team of staff.

“We are also pleased to share with customers the areas which make us different; from home made food and freshly baked cakes by our in house team to the farm shop and butcher’s counter, the use of beef and lamb from our own farm and a family room with indoor and outdoor play.”

The project was initiated by the Highways Agency, who approached VisitEngland to help them devise a ‘quality standard scheme’.

Janet Uttley, business development manager at VisitEngland, said the Tebay South team was exceptional.

“Tebay is an important shop window for Cumbria, visited by millions of people each year,” said Ian Stephens, the managing director of Cumbria Tourism. “This award recognises all that the county aspires to.”