UK's best cuppa and bacon sarnie revealed

Four independent venues have been awarded titles for their bacon sandwiches, tea and toilets in the first ever AA Patrol Approved UK awards.

After battling through a rigorous shortlist and regional heats, the national winners can be revealed as the best in the UK in their category. Bob's Big Bite in Stourbridge wins the title, ‘Best Bacon Sarnie'; Mega Bites in Portsmouth has the ‘Best Cuppa'; Mickey's Diner in Aylesford, Kent has the ‘Best Toilet' and Mains Gills Cafe in Richmond, Yorkshire is the ‘Best Independent Venue'.

Using the unique expertise and knowledge that AA patrols have of routes across the country, the AA Patrol Approved awards aim to highlight some of the great independent venues for road users that are sometimes overlooked. Asked to nominate their favourite venues in the categories deemed most important to travellers; Best Cuppa, Best Toilet, Best Independent Venue and of course, Best Bacon Sarnie, AA patrols across the UK placed hundreds of nominations.

Andy Taylor, Patrol of the Year, who was the deciding judge on the national winners' comments: "Congratulations to all four winners. After personally visiting all venues, I saw that the competition was extremely tough, but we feel that the winners truly deserve their titles. We hope that our first Patrol Approved awards highlight some of the great independent venues across the country and recognise what a good job they do."

As well as being given the title of AA Patrol Approved ‘Best in UK' each venue also received either a commemorative plaque or a unique set of branded plates or mugs to share with their customers.

Bob Hunt at Bob's Big Bite says "We are so thrilled to have won this award and wish to thank Anthony Carter, the AA patrol who originally nominated us. We work hard to give our customers the best quality food and service and look forward to showing off our plates with them."