VISITORS to the Malvern Hills will be unable to use the lavatories at the Wyche cutting from next week because work will begin on their £78,000 refurbishment.

The block will be closed for three months as workmen partly demolish the present building and a build larger one which will include facilities for disabled people.

The project is a joint scheme between the Malvern Hills Conservators - who own the land and will be paying for the refurbishment - and Hereford-shire Council, which is responsible for maintaining the lavatories.

It includes structural repairs to the building and roof, gutting the interior and demolishing part of the building to enable it to be enlarged and modernised.

A hedge, which has outgrown the site, will be removed and a new hedge will be planted once the building work is complete.

Conservators director Ian Rowat said: "We are very keen to see this facility updated. The current building has been there for 50 years. We get a million visitors to the hills each year.

"It is one of the most popular attractions in the West Midlands and I think lavatories are basic facilities for people. We should be setting the standard and I am pleased we are involved with that."

While the rebuilding work is in progress visitors to the area will find the nearest public lavatories at British Camp and St Ann's Well.