DISABLED shoppers are struggling to spend a penny in Farnworth because of a severe shortage of public toilets.

The only disabled toilets are at the town hall in Market Street, which is some distance from the majority of the shops, and at Asda in Brackley Street.

Mrs Brenda Whittam, of Penn Street, Farnworth, who is registered disabled, says she often struggles to find a toilet when she is out shopping.

Mrs Whittam, aged 53, prefers to shop in Bolton where she does not have to worry about finding disabled toilets.

She has to be aware of where she can reach a toilet in an emergency as she was fitted with an urostomy bag six years ago which needs to be changed at least once an hour.

She said: "If I do my shopping in Farnworth I need to get it done in an hour to give myself enough time to get home.

"The council is asking visitors to come to Farnworth, but is only providing second-rate facilities."

Bolton South-east MP Brian Iddon has been unhappy about the lack of public toilet provision in Farnworth since the town centre was renovated in 1999 and the toilets near the market were replaced by igloo-style superloos which people have to pay for.

He has written to the Chief Executive of Bolton Council asking for more public toilets and claims the lack of loos is one of his Farnworth constituents' biggest complaints.

Dr Iddon said: "I am sympathetic to anyone who is complaining about this problem.

"One of the worst things that ever happened in Farnworth was the closure of the public toilets.

"The superloo, or the Tardis as I call it, is very difficult to use for mothers with children who have to leave the pram outside. The floor is always wet and it is impossible for disabled people to use the facility.

"Asda and all the cafes must be sick to death of people going in just to use the toilet.

"I have asked for a specific date from the Chief Executive for new toilets being built because this complaint is brought up again and again when I ever hold a surgery in the town centre."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "Negotiations are taking place to put a disabled toilet in King Street quite soon."