LEDBURY Town Council is looking into taking on Bye Street toilets from the charitable group which took them on from Herefordshire Council two years ago, to keep them open.

For town centre trader and former mayor, Cllr Annette Crowe, who is also a former member of the "Love Ledbury" group which took on the running of the loos in 2014, the need to maintain public conveniences in Ledbury is all about "public decency and public dignity".

But with Love Ledbury seeking to move the burden on to the shoulders of the town council, some councillors are worried about the possible cost to the public purse.

Cllr Crowe said it would be in the region of £10,000 a year; but the town council has asked a working party called the task and finish group to come back with hard costs and report back to the full town council.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker said: "I would rather have all the facts before me. There is a need for toilets in Ledbury, but some councillors are worried about the costs. I think we need to look at the cost of refurbishment too. It could cost an awful lot of money, and we would have to budget for that."

Cllr Crowe said she understood that only one out of four cubicles was open at the Bye Street toilets at present.

The only other toilets in Ledbury are in Church Lane, and these are still run by Herefordshire Council.

Cllr Crowe said: "I think it would be short-sighted of Ledbury Town Council not to take the Bye Street toilets on. They are essential, not only for visitors but for residents.

"If elderly residents don't feel safe coming into town, because there are no loos, they will stay at home; and young children can't hold themselves as adults can."

Cllr Crowe said she did not want a return to the situation of a few years ago when, following the temporary closure of the Bye Street toilets, people were urinating up walls at the back of Homend shops.

She added: "If we lack toilets, we are are doing residents and visitors a dis-service."

Cllr Crowe also suggested that the town council could set aside a sum of money each year to refurbish the toilets as and when required.

But she added: "It should be Herefordshire Council keeping them open, but we know it's not an option."

Town councillors have also suggested raising the cubicle fee from the 20p currently charged by Love Ledbury to 50p, to help meet costs.

Cllr Crowe said that she and deputy mayor, Cllr Elaine Fieldhouse would be happy to collect the money from the machines, as a public service.