SOME visitors to the coast on a record-breaking bank holiday weekend went home “disgusted” at the state of toilet facilities, it has been claimed.

One block of gents’ toilets in Bournemouth was turned temporarily into a unisex facility when the ladies’ were out of use, while in Poole there were complaints of loos without handwashing facilities.

At Bournemouth’s Pier Approach, there were still queues of up to 45 minutes to use the WCs on Sunday evening.

A set of ladies’ loos at Boscombe was closed, with a sign directing people to the gents’.

One beachgoer said: “They said they were unisex toilets but the urinals were still in operation. Young girls were going in there and men were using the urinals.

“People were asking beach rangers what was happening. They gave us a number for the beach operations people but said there wouldn’t be anybody there until Tuesday because it was bank holiday.

“Everywhere they went, they were being inundated with people asking what was going on.”

Canford Cliffs beach hut user Christine Harrington said only two out of four WCs in a block there were working.

“There was a considerable ladies’ queue early in the morning, with many disgruntled residents and visitors expressing their disgust that the hand washing facilities were also out of action,” she said.

“These toilets have always been the worst in the area and bearing in mind we pay a high price to the council for the use of a hut, we have the worst facilities. Holidaymakers certainly cannot be impressed.”

She added: “There is a more modern block of three toilets at the other end of Canford Cliffs promenade, where it joins Branksome Chine. These toilets were in use but again there was no running water for hand washing.”

She added: “These show do have a sign placed by Poole council to say the facility was out of action but judging by the amount of rust on the notice, it must have been in situ for some considerable time.”

Boscombe West councillor Phil Stanley-Watts said he would be raising the issue with council officers.

“I don’t think it is acceptable,” he said.

“Bournemouth is one of the most accessible places in the country. We have the best and safest facilities but we need all the toilets open all the time and not have this unisex situation. We have got to have proper facilities for everyone.”

A statement from Chris Saunders, head of operation for both towns’ seafronts, said: “Clearly the sheer number of visitors meant there was unprecedented demand on our local facilities and our teams were kept extremely busy throughout the weekend managing the beaches to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

“This meant at times there were occasional localised issues such as the women’s toilets at Boscombe East being temporarily out of action and forced to close and the men’s facilities turned into a unisex for the day but signage was in place and there were plenty of other toilets available along the seafront.

“In addition, there was extremely heavy demand on our waste and cleansing facilities. We always encourage our visitors to be responsible at all times and take their litter home with them.”