A CUMBRIAN service station has been ranked as one of the best in the country.

Tebay Service Station on the M6 came in second place out of almost 70 service stations in a survey conducted by consumer champion Whch?

The popular stopping point was praised for the freshly prepared food on offer in the kitchen and for sale in its onsite farmshop.

It was part of a terrific showing for Cumbrian owners the Westmorland family, with service stations owned by the family taking all three top spots.

The Westmorlands operates a different model to standard service stations - it is devoted to local sourcing and does not have fast-food chains or franchises at its services.

Instead, the stations have farmshops selling locally produced food and drink and Kitchens serving freshly cooked dishes made from scratch using real ingredients, including local produce.

Tebay was joined in the top three by Gloucester Services and Cairn Lodge Services in Scotland.

Sarah Dunning, chair of the Westmorland Family, said: “Quality local food has always been at the forefront of what we do at Westmorland Family. In a year beset by challenges, it is a great delight that all three motorway services are ranked one, two and three in the country."

Westmorland family CEO Nabil Subuh said: “We’re so very proud of our colleagues and suppliers who have helped our services achieve these remarkable rankings."