WOMEN had to use men's loos as the number of weekend visitors to Stourport-on-Severn overwhelmed the town's toilet facilities.

Queues tailing back from the women's facilities highlighted "a spectacular failure" in Wyre Forest's toilet provision, according to a councillor.

Relief could be in sight with the prospect of a major overhaul of the district's public toilets moving a step closer, as councillors are being asked to come up with costings for a scheme.

As part of a review of the area's conveniences - also intended to reduce vandalism - councillors visited Evesham, which has prize-winning, state-of-the-art loos following a 10-year improvement plan.

A report to the executive committee of Wyre Forest District council from Councillor Anthony Greenfield, chairman of the community life scrutiny committee, which undertook the review, said the key to Evesham's success has been the decision to opt for toilet attendants.

He added that this resulted in vandals staying away and the reduction in the cost of the damage caused by vandalism actually paid for the attendant service.

Other measures in Evesham included a simplified design of toilet buildings.