TOWN centre traders say they are losing money because there are no public toilets and would-be shoppers are staying away from Todmorden.

The latest hold-up to repair work in an a new town centre toilet block has angered the Todmorden Business Association who have contacted Calderdale Council urging them to speed up completing the job.

Thousands of pounds were last year spent on a new toilet block, but after just seven weeks the toilets were closed because of vandalism.

Repairs costing £10,000 are now being carried out to the automatic doors and shutters will be fitted to prevent any more attacks.

Business Association committee member Linda Young, who owns the Bridge Cafe, in Burnley Road said: "The people who run the businesses are losing money because people will not come to Todmorden because they know there are no toilet facilities. They will go elsewhere and I can't blame them for that.

"We have tried as far as we can to attract people to come into Todmorden and have a nice look round. It is very important in trying to attract people to come and spend their money in Todmorden if the facilities are right. They are not going to come if they know the toilets are not working. We have contacted Calderdale asking them to speed things up because we know it is losing us money."

The Mayor Coun Michael Goldthorpe said: "It is disappointing but I would ask the traders to be patient for a little while longer. We are very nearly there and we will have something of which we can all be proud."