Motorway service stations have, over the years, gained a justified reputation for offering poor quality service at inflated prices. Regardless of the operating chain, the food in the cafeteria is the same, the gifts and publications in the shop show little variation and the prices reflect the almost monopoly market in which they operate.

But as with many aspects of travel, there are hidden gems. And one of these is Tebay motorway service area on the M6 in Cumbria.

Kevin Smith is an American film director. He burst on the the scene with the rather excellent “Clerks”. A film featuring a host of unknowns and funded by credit cards, which went down a storm at the Sundance Festival. Since then he has gone from strength to strength, directing such stars as Alan Rickman, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in “Dogma”, a film that solidly laid the boot in to the catholic church.