People caught short in Royston town centre will no longer be able to use the public toilets at The Cross – after town councillors voted to close the site.

The decision to no longer manage the facilities was made by Royston Town Council, citing the ongoing costs involved due to persistent vandalism.

Councillors will now ask North Herts District Council, which owns the building, to either make it vandal-proof or to demolish the structure.

The town council took over the management after the district council decided to maintain only one set of toilets in the town – based in Fish Hill.

Councillors also agreed to study the possibility of introducing a community toilet scheme, by which businesses such as public houses would permit members of the public to use their toilet facilities

The town council says such schemes have proved useful in other communities and business participants can benefit by increasing footfall to their premises.