A CASH-STRAPPED council says traders will have to "step up to the plate" and let people spend a penny in their shops as it presses ahead with controversial plans to axe public loos.

Campaigners this week urged Tendring Council bosses to rethink plans to shut ten public toilets in a move designed to save £100,000 a year.

More than 1,100 people have signed petitions organised by Steven Walker, of the We Want to Wee Campaign.

He is trying to save closure-threatened WCs in Walton's Mill Lane and Old Way in Frinton.

Mr Walker, of Walton, tabled a question at Tuesday night's meeting of Tendring Council.

He said the proposed closures had caused "considerable public concern, anxiety and protest", and called for the council

to look at the impact the move would have, as well as carrying out a cost-benefit analysis.

Council leisure boss Mick Skeels said the decision to shut public toilets had been made with "great reluctance", but claimed a cost-benefit analysis would be "very difficult".

And he called on local businesses to "step up to the plate and play their part" by letting the public use their loos where council-run lavvies are no longer available.

But that will infuriate some businesses.

Paul Barnes, of the Revved Up biker cafe, in Walton, is already furious that the public toilets near him have closed for the winter.

"The situation is getting pathetic - people have nowhere to go for a pee," he said.

"I am fed up with them using my loo all the time.

"The council has boarded up the public toilets but left the lights on inside so I can't see how they can possibly say they are saving any money.

"One councillor told me it was to save on cleaning products, but that's ridiculous because £6.50 would buy you enough bleach to last a year and would easily last the winter."

Mr Skeels said the council was having to look at how it provides public toilets right across the district.

“As a general rule that will involve enhancing some sites while closing others which have particular issues,” he said. “As part of our strategy we will also be exploring with local businesses the option of them allowing the public to use their own toilet facilities.”