PUBLIC conveniences could soon live up to their name.

Council bosses have come up with a money saving solution to enable the public to spend a penny.

They have struck a deal with the company, Adshel, who will supply and maintain seven automatic public toilets, financed through advertising.

It would cost the council £50,000 to erect each facility if it was to do the work itself. In addition it would also have to pay running and maintenance costs.

Planning permission has already been given to erect two toilets, one in Bury town centre and one in one of the borough's towns.

Environment and transport scrutiny and review panel Coun Barry Theckston, told members of executive committee: "Once we gain the necessary advertising revenue, the scheme will gather momentum and the other five toilets will follow."

He said members of the review panel had requested that the new toilets be disabled-friendly.

There had been moves to close the toilets in Bury Interchange after an approach to get funding from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive in 1998 failed to attract a positive response.

But Coun Thekston revealed that GMPTE had now agreed to provide the full funding needed to refurbish the toilets.

Bury Council would provide a cleaning service and security watch of the toilets, carried out by existing town centre staff.