TOURISM in Upton would suffer under proposed plans to close public toilets in High Street.

That is the view of Upton Tourism and Trade Association chairman Barry Kitchin, who will appeal to the district council against the closure.

Mr Kitchin, who voiced his concerns at a town council meeting on Tuesday, feels closing the toilets would reduce the town's tourist appeal.

"We're strongly against closure, which would detract from our efforts to get visitors into the town twelve months a year," he said.

Nearly 700 residents and visitors signed a petition against the closure, which Coun Mary Wilkinson presented to Malvern Hills District Council on October 4.

Mayor John Thompson said Upton's considerations were different to other parishes, due to its tourism interests.

"There are no public toilets at all in Kempsey, which is slightly larger than Upton," he said. "However our population grows by thousands through our visitors."

Although existing toilets in Hanley Road would remain open, county councillor Bob Bullock said their location was not suitable for disabled visitors to the town centre. He recommended approaching the Heart of England Tourist Board, which would be likely to offer support, as Upton is a recognised tourist centre.

One possible solution may be the seasonal opening of the toilets.

The town council is considering a proposal to fund contract cleaning of the toilets between April and October. This would allow the toilets to open during Upton's busy summer tourism months, but is dependant on MHDC agreeing to fund a basic refurbishment.

However Mr Kitchin does not feel a seasonal provision would satisfy tourism needs.

"If they only open in the summer, what will visitors do when they come to see the Christmas lights?" he said.

Last month, the district council voted to overturn an executive committee decision to close the toilets and try to find a solution.