PLANS by Kennet District Council to replace its public toilets with modern loos will be discussed by councillors in January.

A comprehensive review of the council's 13 public toilets has almost been completed.

The proposals include changing many of the lobby-style toilets into single direct entry units and closing Ramsbury's toilets.

A working party made up of district councillors has been reviewing the public toilets and consultations have been carried out with town and parish councils.

The next stage is for the working party to recommend what action to take. A final decision will be made by Kennet's environmental services committee in January.

In most cases the direct entry toilets have unisex facilities as well as a baby changing area. Separate units are available for people with disabilities.

David Shearer, technical services manager at Kennet District Council, explained: "Although some of our public toilets are new most are ageing and not attractive. Members are inclined to convert the worst of our toilets into direct entry units. They feel they are an improvement in terms of security and they are easier to maintain."

The nearest direct entry toilets are at Westbury and working party members have visited them.

The working party will decide whether to go ahead with the new style of toilet and where they should go.

A timetable will also be drawn up although it is a long term plan it is expected to take between six to eight years to replace the district's public toilets.

The proposals to be considered by the working party include replacing the toilets at Station Road, The Green and West Central car park, Devizes, along with the toilets under the Town Hall, Marlborough, and at The Square, Aldbourne, into direct entry units.

Meanwhile, the low numbers of people who use the toilets behind the Memorial Hall in Ramsbury have led to officers recommending they be closed, although the parish council is against it.

Officers counted how many people used the public toilets during one week in May, and as a result of that have worked out how much it costs per person to use the toilets.

Toilets at the West Central car park, Devizes, are the most used.

Almost 4,000 people use the toilets each week which costs 7p for each user while the toilets in Ramsbury are used by just 149 people a week, costing £1.75 per user.