VISITORS and revellers in Bury town centre have the latest convenience if they are suddenly caught short.

A state-of-the-art Automatic Public Toilet (APT) costing £120,000 has been installed in Kay Gardens.

The 20p-a-time APT uses the latest technology to clean itself, and boasts a security hotline if anyone gets into trouble.

The toilet has been built by street furniture firm Adshel, under a deal with Bury Council allowing it to display advertising on various boards around the town centre. Further APTs are planned for the Longfield Centre in Prestwich and elsewhere in the borough.

The APT is clad in graffiti-proof material, and has steel handrails and an anti-slip floor. The toilet seat is cleaned after each automatic flush and the sink has an infra-red sensor to control washing and drying cycles. When the toilet is empty, the floor revolves to be cleaned.

There are instructions in English and Braille, and it is accessible to people in wheelchairs and parents with prams, who can change their baby's nappies there.

Councillor Stella Smith, executive member for environment and transport, unveiled the new loo and said: "This is a state-of-the-art facility and its design will make it a pleasant addition to the town's street scene."

Bury's first "super loo" was erected in The Rock back in 1990, but was scrapped two years later after repeated arson attacks.