PUBLIC toilets across the Malvern Hills district have been saved from closure - for the moment.

The district council's executive committee decided at its meeting on August 30 to close toilets at Edith Walk and Victoria Road, Malvern, and High Street, Upton, as well as in Tenbury Wells, as a money-saving measure.

But this week, the full council voted overwhelmingly to overturn the decision and try to seek a way to keep them open.

Upton councillor Mary Wilkinson presented a petition signed by more than 700 Upton people opposing the closure.

She said: "That's about a third of the electorate of Upton and four of us got all these signatures in just a few days. People are really up in arms about this."

Coun Roger Hall-Jones said the nearness of the Edith Walk toilets was a factor when the tourist information centre was relocated a few years ago.

Coun Philip Rumney said: "There is real concern among the public about the future of the Edith Walk toilets."

If the executive committee's decision had been upheld, the toilets would have been closed at the end of October. Now the council has to reopen talks with town councils about their future.

A special meeting of the district council will be held on Wednesday, December 14, to make a decision.

After Tuesday night's meeting, Upton mayor John Thompson said: "This has been the biggest issue in Upton for ages, bigger than the marina.

"We're relieved the district council has decided to give it another chance."