RESIDENTS are being asked to keep their legs crossed a little longer when out and about in the town centre after Blandford civic bosses rejected a 1,000-name petition calling for the daytime reopening of public toilets in the Corn Exchange.

But recreation and amenities members have agreed to see if the town could take over and re-open nearby public toilets next to the post office in the Tabernacle, which were closed by North Dorset councillors six months ago.

The petition was organised by the Blandford Over Fifties Forum which was seeking permanent opening of the facilities in the Corn Exchange in the market place, which at present are only available when the building is open to the public.

Frankie Lane, chairman of the forum, says that elderly residents and mothers with young children desperately need a town-centre facility as well as people using the Langton Road and Marsh and Ham car parks.

For the past few years town councillors have been working towards a major refurbishment of the Corn Exchange and the possible relocation of its toilets.

Concerns raised by town bosses include poor ventilation in the toilets, out-of-date plumbing and repeated vandalism in the past when they were open to the public.

Cllr Lynn Lindsay said: "We must be careful not to lose sight of our vision for the Corn Exchange, and that these toilets may eventually have to be moved."

Cllr Mike Owen said: "Part of the objection to the Corn Exchange toilets is the cost of bringing them up to spec.

"Those in the Tabernacle only need someone to unlock them and clean them twice a day."

Members agreed therefore to take no further action concerning the Corn Exchange toilets but to ask the district council whether they would be allowed to run those at the Tabernacle instead.