CHARGING to "spend a penny" in public loos in the Ribble Valley could be one way of solving problems of dirty toilets in the borough.

But members of the community committee last night heard that any plans to charge for using the council-owned toilets would be certain to meet with a public outcry, especially after the recent car parking fees programme.

Director of commercial services Mr John Heap said that charging to use the toilets was one way to generate income to install a cleaner and more hygenic service throughout the borough.

But he added that there were other possibilities such as the installation of "superloos" which clean themselves or even closing some of the lesser-used conveniences down.

He pointed out that all options would seem to be unpopular and that a working group of councillors should be set up to finalise details of an improvement programme.

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