Pearl Short is flushed with pride. She is one of a record-breaking seven toilet attendants in Brighton and Hove who have been commended in this year's Loo of the Year Awards.

For the second year running, Pearl has been voted an Attendant of the Year after keeping the lavatories at Western Esplanade, Hove, sparkling.

Pearl, 63, takes great pride in the loos which have been her responsibility six days a week for more than two years.

She said: "I love the job. People say: 'Don't you get bored?' but I don't.

"In the summer, I speak to all the ladies from the bowls club. When the weather's bad, it is really quiet. But I have my television and my radio and I am happy."

Pearl, who lives in Mile Oak, keeps the lavatories spotless and decorated with vases of flowers.

She said she can be strict with people who cause a nuisance.

She explained: "I won't tolerate people coming into my toilets and not using them for what they are supposed to be used for. I have had no graffiti.

"I am lucky because in the two years I have been based at these toilets I have not found any needles. Some of my colleagues in Brighton have actually seen people injecting."

The six other city cleaners praised by the British Toilet Association were Betty Wells and Tony Vince who tend the Norton Road toilets; Brian Collins and David Grey, of the Royal Pavilion Gardens WCs; and Dominick O'Shea and Leo Holmes, who look after loos in The Lanes.

All winners are employees of Brighton and Hove City Council's contractor Wettons.

Three of the toilets maintained by the firm in the city received a top five-star grading, out of just 114 in the entire country. As well as Pearl's lavatories, the conveniences at the Royal Pavilion Gardens and The Lanes also meet the highest standards.

City councillor Chris Morley, who has executive responsibility for the environment, said: "I am delighted that Brighton and Hove has featured so strongly in this year's awards, more than doubling the number won last year.

"Standards have continued to rise since Wettons took over the contract and improvements this year have included the redecoration of ten facilities in the city.

"The high standards of the loos is also due to the hard work and commitment of those who clean and look after them. I am extremely pleased that these seven staff have got the recognition they deserve."

Oliver Weisflog, managing director of Cannon Hygiene, which sponsors the awards, said: "Once again there has been an increase in the number of awards presented in the competition.

"When one realises that all the facilities were judged independently and anonymously, it becomes clear that there are a rising number of organisations who realise that first-class toilet facilities are an integral part of the overall customer package."