A FORMER mayor is urging council chiefs to bring toilets in a Bacup park back into use to prevent people from being caught short.

Councillor Jimmy Eaton says residents using Stubbylee Park are having to go behind trees to spend a penny after the toilets closed 18 months ago.

He said the lack of public conveniences in the recently regenerated park could even result in people being arrested for public indecency.

The retired Bacup postie fears the park, which now boasts a new skate park and has seen a £30,000 facelift in the rose garden area, will start losing visitors.

Coun Eaton said: "After a few discussions back in January I spoke to councillor Judith Driver who is the portfolio holder to see if we could get it on the Overview and Scrutiny agenda and she said it was too late for it to go on the February agenda but assured me it would be on the March agenda.

"When I got the minutes it wasn't on. Those facilities have been closed for 18 months. The park is well used and a lot of money has been spent on it including £30,000 in the rose garden and a new skate park.

"People are using this park seven days a week. Schools are coming with small children on nature trails. The last thing they want to see is a dog walker having to go behind a tree because they are desperate. They could even get themselves into trouble.

"I would like to see the issue of re-opening the toilets to be included on the next agenda."

Labour Councillor Mollie Disley, who represents the Hareholme ward, said: "I would ask all the toilets which are closed in the borough to be looked at. The one in Rawtenstall is closed. Unfortunately I saw somebody having a little private wee, I looked away but the man actually apologised to me.

"He said I had to go, I was desperate but there was nowhere to go.' Perhaps we could look at them all."

Gladys Sandiford, chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: "I will refer this to the head of street scene and liveability for her to look into the matter. "