THEY are not always the most inviting of places, but the plug could soon be pulled on public toilets.

Local authorities nationwide have been consulting on plans to shut down their loos as they struggle to make ends meet.

Councillors in Shropshire have voted to close down all public toilets in the county, while Edinburgh will shut half the city’s conveniences and just one will remain in Manchester.

Some authorities are trying to persuade businesses and parish councils to take over the running of the toilets.

So is the Victorian idea of the public toilet dying out in the austerity Britain of the 21st century?

Last year, Bournemouth councillors voted to shut six public toilets permanently, with another four to close for the winter – after taking a tour of the resort’s loos to inform their decision.

The idea was to save £100,000 and encourage more shops and cafes to open up their WCs to the public.

Deputy council leader Cllr John Beesley said: “There are currently no proposals to close further public conveniences.

"We are of course continuing to monitor and review the usage of public conveniences to ensure that the costs in keeping these sites secure, clean and maintained daily.

“Through the council’s community action fund we are looking to improve a number of sites including the Lower Gardens and Travel Interchange.”

Poole came under fire for closing several public toilets as long ago as the late 1990s. It now operates 30. Media and communications officer Ceri Lewis said: “Toilets are an important part of blue flag and green flag awards which the council is very proud to have.

“If you are on the beaches or in the town centre, you are never more than 500 metres away from a public toilet.”

She added that a review last summer found the main beach toilets saw 1,500 visits a day, meaning they provided a valuable service for the town’s residents and visitors.

She said the relevant cabinet member, Cllr Don Collier, “has made it clear he will not consider toilet closures, and we will always look to see if they can be improved within current financial constraints”.

Christchurch Borough Council has even won awards for the standard of its toilets, scooping a clutch of awards in the UK Loo of the Year Awards last year.

“There are no plans to change our toilets and we are very proud of that, explained Lindsay Cass, head of environmental services for the Christchurch and East Dorset Council Partnership.

While other authorities considered public toilets a low priority, the influx of tourists to Christ- church meant it was imperative good quality facilities were offered.

“We want to make the place as nice as it can be for our visitors, we want them to feel welcome and have a place to do what they have to do.”