A SPACE-AGE superloo costing more than £30,000 could make life a lot more "convenient" for Radcliffe shoppers.

After years of complaints about the dingy and dirty existing town centre toilets, Bury Council has finally decided to act.

The self-cleaning, state-of-the-art unisex toilet has been dubbed a "bathroom on the street" and should open next summer. Borough operational services officer, Mr Mike Lord, said: "The council did not have the finances to pay for the toilet. However, an agreement has been struck where we get one of these toilets in exchange for giving planning permission for 20 advertising boards across the borough."

Talks are still taking place about where to site the toilet but an assurance has been given that it will not be as concealed as the present ones. Mr Lord said: "It will be central for shoppers and sited where people will feel safe to use it." The toilet boasts a range of high-tech features designed to make the public convenience extra convenient.

Use of the toilet is limited to 20 minutes and a display will countdown the time. After 18 minutes a voice will warn you that the door will open in two minutes!

Infrared sensors trigger an automatic hand-washing system and when the sensors detect a user has exited, the doors will lock automatically and the cleansing and disinfecting cycle will begin.

The toilet bowl and sink is cleansed, the toilet seat is sprayed with water and an anti-bacterial, viral and fungicidal disinfectant and the floor revolves each time to be replaced by a freshly cleaned one.

The external walls will be made of Portland stone and the inside will be made of polyester material which means graffiti can be easily wiped clean.

The unit will be connected by telephone to the emergency services. There will be five emergency buttons, a speaker and a microphone which connects users to an emergency unit manned 24 hours a day.

Mr Lord said: "It is unlikely that it will be free to use although any charge would only be nominal."

Planning permission is expected in the new year and it will take three months to build.

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