Traders will be quizzed as council bosses attempt to find out if a pop-up loo has diverted revellers from urinating on doorsteps.

Colchester Council chiefs spent more than just a penny when they splashed out £25,000 for the self-cleaning Urilift, which rises from the pavement at 7.30pm every night in High Street.

They now want to see if the investment was worth it - and the Gazette can ex-loo-sively reveal a survey of store bosses is planned over the next six weeks.

Street care and recycling manager Dave McManus told the Gazette: "We did have complaints before about people being caught short and using shop doorways to relieve themselves.

"The Urilift is being well-used and it will be interesting to see whether it has improved things for businesses."

The circular Urilift allows three men at once to relieve themselves in the open air while preserving their modesty.

Council bosses say there have been few problems since the vandal-resistant device was installed near the High Street's junction with West Stockwell Street in November.

Despite its popularity, staff at nearby Bluebells beauty salon said it had not stopped drinkers from using their doorstep as a public convenience.

"People just do it whenever and wherever they happen to be," she said. "There is quite a substantial problem in our doorway and I'm afraid I can't see that changing."