A DISABLED woman has hit out against the closure of vandalised public toilets in Horwich.

June Smullen, aged 68, of Hilton Avenue, says the council-owned ladies, gents and disabled toilets in Captain Street have been closed for the past five weeks, and are the only outside toilets in the town people can use.

Although they were repaired and painted in time for the Commonwealth Games, as some of the events took place in the town, they are now permanently locked.

Mrs Smullen said: "I own a key for the disabled toilet and am able to let myself in, but there is no way I would use it.

"There is no chain on the toilet and no plumbing. The toilet is disgusting."

Many of the cafes and pubs in the town have toilets, although people are encouraged to make a purchase if they use them.

Mrs Smullen said: "This is a growing inconvenience when you need a convenience. I have been in touch with Bolton Council, Horwich Council and the Cleansing Department on Weston Street in Bolton, and nothing has been done.

"Before the Commonwealth Games, they were cleaned and painted, and behind the back of the block was tidied up. I'm not sure what visitors to the town would think now." Horwich Lib Dem councillor, Bob Ronson, said the toilet block has been closed for five weeks because it had been badly vandalised.

He said: "The toilets were refurbished in time for the Games but have been vandalised several times since, so have remained locked.

"Full time attendance of the toilet would cost a lot of money.

"They could be replaced by automatic toilets which clean themselves, but people are not too keen on them because they have to pay.

"It looks like we could be stuck with these toilets, but they need much better supervision. I do hope they will be open again soon."