Blackburn's flagship Witton Country Park is to get a £75,000 hi-spec disabled toilet.

The modular, specially-adapted bathroom, with shower and changing facilities, will be built close to the Witton Park Arena, by the park's main entrance.

It is one of three new Changing Places Toilets being introduced in Blackburn with Darwen borough.

The other two are at Blackburn Cathedral and Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park stadium.

The money for the new loo at Witton Park comes from the government's special Changing Places fund.

A report by Blackburn with Darwen Council's public health boss Cllr Damian Talbot tells colleagues: "We have successfully secured up to £75,000 towards the installation of a Changing Places modular facility at Witton Country Park.

"The proposal is to install a modular build Changing Places toilet facility adjacent to Witton Park Arena and close to the entrance at Witton Park.

"Changing Places toilets are large accessible toilets for severely disabled people.

"They are now legally required in all new public buildings in England with a capacity for 350 or more people.

"Shopping centres, supermarkets, sports and arts venues will be required to include at least one.

"Over a quarter of a million people in the UK need Changing Places toilets to enable them to get out and about and enjoy the day-to-day activities which many of us take for granted.

"To use a toilet in safety and comfort, severely disabled people need to be able to access a Changing Places toilet, which has more space and the right equipment including a height adjustable changing bench, a peninsular toilet and a ceiling hoist.

"Currently there is only one Changing Places Toilet in the borough, which is situated in Blackburn Market, so we are currently under-provided.

"The government has made a £30 million fund available to install facilities in existing public venues.

"Funding of £62,000 was secured and is funding the installation of a Changing Places Toilet Facility by Blackburn Cathedral.

"The council secured £75,000 towards the installation of a Changing Places modular facility at Witton Park.

"Further funding was secured for Blackburn Rovers to install a Changing Places Toilet facility at Ewood Park.

"Once these changing places toilets have been completed, there will be four in the borough.

"Witton Country Park is the busiest park within the borough as it is visited by residents from across Blackburn and Darwen and surrounding areas.

"Siting a changing places toilet within the park will enable people with severe disabilities to use the country park in the knowledge that they have access to a fully accessible toilet facility."