SMALLER motorway service stations are preferred by motorists, a new survey has revealed - with an East Lancashire-owned chain among the nation’s favourite.

Euro Garages was voted the third most preferred service station in the UK in a poll of 9,808 people conducted by watchdog Transport Focus.

Part of the EG Group which is owned by millionaire Blackburn brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa, there are 341 operational filling stations located across the country.

In East Lancashire, the Whitebirk M65 services, which include a Starbucks, Drive-Thru Greggs and KFC was opened in 2018.

Extra and Westmorland achieved the joint highest score of 97% in a poll of 9,808 people conducted by watchdog Transport Focus.

Between them they only operate 10 of England’s 112 motorway service areas, including Beaconsfield on the M40 in Buckinghamshire, Gloucester on the M5 and Tebay on the M6 in Cumbria.

Euro Garages was ranked in third place with 96 per cent of users satisfied, followed by Roadchef, Moto and Welcome Break.

There was a year-on-year increase in satisfaction across all service areas of three percentage points to 93%.

Cleanliness of toilets was rated as satisfactory by 89% of visitors, while friendliness and helpfulness of staff scored 94%.

Visitors were least satisfied with the value for money of the food and drink they bought, at just 69%.

Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: “As the country emerges out of lockdown and people take to the roads for staycations this summer, motorway services will provide a vital opportunity for drivers to take a break on their journey.

“Motorway services provide customers with a great experience with friendly and helpful staff, but there is still room for improvement when it comes to the value for money of the food and drink on offer.”