OH dear what can the matter be?

That's the question public toilets campaigner John Corbett has been asking for years.

But the public-spirited Butts Bridger is angry because he says despite promises that new loos were on the cards, the town is still off limits for those wanting to spend a penny.

In December 2001 the Journal publicised moves to open more toilets in the town. Now he is demanding to know why nothing has materialised.

And at a meeting of Leigh Town Centre Risk Management Group -- of which he is a member -- he suggested there's a prime building in Gas Street, a stone's throw from the indoor market, Bradshawgate and the main town centre car park, which could readily be adapted.

War veteran Mr Corbett told the Journal: "It's no laughing matter and it is ridiculous that a town the size of Leigh has no proper public toilets.

"Over four million people in Britain are affected by some form of bladder weakness -- those are medical facts.

"It is as if public toilets are deliberately closed and left to vandals.

"There was no problem at Bengal Street when there was an attendant on duty. It seems as though the council doesn't want anything to do with toilets, unless there is money to be made from them."

A spokesman for Wigan Council said: "The Bengal Street conveniences are due to open any day now following external and internal refurbishment."