Red Lion Truck Stop near Northampton named Europe's best

The Red Lion Truck Stop is located on the A4500 near Northampton, close to junction 16 of the M1

An English truck stop has been named the best in Europe.

The Red Lion Truck Stop on the A4500 near Kislingbury, Northampton, earned the accolade after 40% of truckers polled said it was their favourite.

Ali Sadrudin, who operates the site close to junction 16 of the M1, said: "It means everything. It's a really big achievement for us."

Also nominated were Chippenham Pit Stop, Route 74 Truck Stop in Scotland and Rasthof Körfez 61 in Germany.

The Red Lion boasts more than 200 HGV parking spaces as well as truck washing facilities.

Ali Sadrudin said the award "means everything" to the Red Lion Truck Stop

"We try and offer a one-stop shop," said Mr Sadrudin. "They [drivers] can come here, we've got guards, you've got safety, but once you come inside, you've got food, drink, the shower facilities, laundry facilities and a shop.

"We aim for a community feel, so you come in and you're greeted by a bar and a friendly face.

He said: "We always tell people the red walls and red seats are our blood in this.

"It means a lot to us, to our customers, it's a thank you to them. It means they appreciate what we do. We want to do better for them."

Matt, a visiting trucker, said the Red Lion offered "great" food as well as security for drivers

Matt, a visiting lorry driver, said the Red Lion was "easily accessible" and that the "food is great" and "service is quick".

Mr Sadrudin said curry and burgers were among the most crowd-pleasing items on the menu.

He said they hoped to install electric vehicle chargers later this year and that the site had planning permission for a hotel at some point "down the road".

Northampton lies at the heart of the UK's logistics industry, which generates £14bn to the nation's economy each year