POLICE have stepped up patrols around public toilets in Cliviger after residents complained the men's part of the facility was being misused.

Neighbours in Burnley Road said the conveniences were regularly visited by men who sometimes spend more than half an hour inside.

They contacted police and councillors to complain after discovering the wall daubed with graffiti and lurid messages about sexual acts and telephone numbers.

A spokesman for Burnley Police said: "We are aware of residents' concerns about anti-social behaviour in and around these particular toilets. The local community beat manager and passing patrols have been instructed to keep an eye on the premises and take positive action against anyone behaving in an anti-social manner. Posters have also been produced for display in the toilets."

Burnley councillor Kevin Robinson, who lives in Burnley Road, said he was particularly worried because children regularly played on land behind the conveniences.

He added: "The police should have a bit more of a visual presence. It first started about eight years ago after toilets near Towneley were closed. It eased off for a while, but now they are back again.

One resident said: "My worry is that children will stumble across something they shouldn't do.

"Kids play on a recreation ground at the back of the toilets and they could easily be confronted with this.

"Men have been meeting in the toilets for years. It used to go on all night but they started shutting them down during the evenings.

"I have seen blokes going in there with dresses on. I've been to parish council meetings and the police know all about it.

"Cars pull up outside the toilets and men disappear inside -- sometime for half an hour. They should be closed down, that's the only way to stop it."

People living close to the toilets have raised the issue with local councillors, contacted the police and have been passing on the registration numbers of cars parked outside.