PUBLIC toilets are a welcome relief for those desperately in need, despite what state they're in.

But this week I received a disturbing communique from Leigh mum Lorraine Ashworth who wants the once necessary Bengal Street toilets closed - and demolished.

Her call comes following two incidents she experienced in the conveniences recently.

She claims her three-years-old found a bottle of methadone, and that she and her two children were intimidated by two men and a woman in the ladies.

Lorraine says she has spoken to the police and cleansing department, and written to a local councillor, because she believes someone is going to get hurt before long, and that the risks are greater than the need for these loos.

Unfortunately she has had little success

Only a few weeks ago the council, answering another call for closure, said they would make extra visits to the premises after bowls in the gents were bunged up with old trolleys, and not those of the shopping variety, and rubbish.

Seems to me the undesirables have taken over, and the building needs more supervision if it is to stay open.

Gone are the days when as a necessity for the outdoor market, they were a delight to pop into, with a full time attendant on duty. More's the pity.

I haven't used the premises for years, and after this I'd be scared to. It comes to something when you can be frightened off doing what comes naturally.

What do you think?

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.