A TOILET block which has been repeatedly vandalised could close forever if it is damaged again.

Swindon Council has warned that it will keep the Cavendish Square toilets shut if there is any more trouble.

The toilets are expected to re-open within the next two weeks.

John Short, the director of Swindon Services, said: "These toilets have been opened and repaired on five separate occasions, the last being three weeks ago.

"And, within those three weeks, they were vandalised again.

"It is not economically practical to have a permanent attendant in these toilets and I would ask the public to respect the facilities that are provided.

"We will open them once again when the repairs have been completed but this will probably be the final time, unless council members state otherwise."

Last October residents fought to reopen the toilets, despite fears drug addicts could use them.

More than 80 people signed a petition in just two hours calling for the toilets to be retained.

Graham Bowles, 49, of Studland Close, Park South, who headed the campaign with his wife, Olive, 56, says his wife, who has had problems with her hips, still has access to the disabled toilet there and he hopes the council will keep its promise and open the others in two weeks.

He said if the council employed a caretaker to guard the site, drug users and vandals would be kept away.

"Re-open the public toilets and, to stop the threat of vandalism, then employ a janitor to look after them," he said."How much long have we got to wait to spend a penny?

"I know the council is worried the toilets will get vandalised if they reopen them, but why should we have to suffer without the use of the toilets?"

Louts have also targeted other public toilets in the town, including those in Victoria Road, Old Town.

And Swindon Council has admitted such vandalism is a problem all around the borough.

Developer Leehampton has been picked to breathe new life into Cavendish Square.

Last year, the council's cabinet plumped for a deal which was believed to be worth about £8 million.

The scheme includes the building of 170 homes and a supermarket.

Ben Payne