A CLEANER is determined to carry on her job after she was attacked by a man taking part in gay sex in a public toilet.

The incident came to light as the issue of "cottaging" in toilets at Vale Road, Stourport, was highlighted by Councillor Brian Glass at a meeting of the district council executive.

Public convenience attendant Shirley Pound walked in on the two men as she went into the Vale Road toilets to clean them at 1.20pm on Thursday, April 15.

Mrs Pound, aged 51, said: "I went in through the door of the men's and there were two men "doing it". One of them swore at me. He then swung his arm back and smacked me in the mouth.

Mrs Pound, who ran off, said she received a cut to her lip, which she found particularly upsetting, as she had just had a facelift.

She said: "I have had a facelift to correct some scars on my face and I don't really want any more scars."

Following the event Mrs Pound, who was otherwise unhurt, was determined to continue her work.

She said: "You can't let them spoil your life, can you? I have got a job to do and you have to do it. We always go in twos now though."

She added: "I don't mind what people do in their private lives but they should not do it in public. What if a child had walked in?"

She praised the police, the council and Coun Glass, who provided escorts for her for two weeks after the incident.

Speaking at Wednesday night's meeting of Wyre Forest District Council's executive, as it considered an agenda item on public toilets, Mr Glass raised the problem of cottaging and "filthy graffiti" in the Vale Road toilets.

He said that, in conjunction with police, he had been monitoring the situation.

Speaking after the meeting he said: "Some of the filthy messages are unbelievable.

"I could not believe that men could write such messages. I am open-minded but they made my hair stand on end.

"We have been patrolling the toilets. This has got to be stopped. Children use those toilets."

Insp Paul Crowley of Kidderminster Police said enquiries were continuing into the attack incident. He added that patrols had been stepped up.