RESIDENTS in Wootton Bassett are finally set to get their public toilet block reopened, 18 months after it was shut due to vandalism.

At a North Wiltshire District Council meeting it was decided the toilets in Station Road should open and the town was awarded £6,000 to get them up to standard.

Coun Chris Wannell (Con, Wootton Bassett South) has been fighting the residents' corner since the block closed.

Although he expressed his disappointment the full £15,000 needed to completely vandal-proof the block was not granted, Coun Wannell said he was pleased.

"I am certainly pleased that they are reopening but I am concerned that it has taken 18 months to do it," he said.

"These toilets are important to the people of Wootton Bassett. They are used a lot by the elderly

"They're also useful for parents with young children. Both the County Infant School and Noremarsh Junior School are close by."

Meanwhile, Coun Susan Cooksley (Con, Wootton Bassett South) hit out at the council for taking so long to reopen the toilets.

She said: "I appreciate money is involved and it's going to take time, but 18 months is inexcusable." Coun Cooksley added that the closure cast the town in a negative light. "Visitors constantly seeing the toilets closed gives a bad impression," she said.