UPTON'S public toilets could be closed at the end of this month, despite the determination of townspeople to keep them open.

Malvern Hills District Council wants to close the toilets in Lower High Street, along with a number of other public toilets in the area.

Its executive board meets on Tuesday to approve a motion of closure to be put before full council at the end of this month.

Under the plan, the toilets would be closed and the building offered for sale for alternative uses.

If a buyer cannot be found, then the proposal is to mothball the toilet facilities and only open them during festivals in the town.

Upton Town Council and local people have been fighting the move. They insist the toilets are essential in a town which attracts 20,000 tourists a year.

A petition, and even the offer of a financial contribution towards operating costs from the town council, have not made MHDC reconsider.

"It's just reached total stalemate. The district council is determined to close them and everyone in the town is convinced they should stay open," said Coun Mary Wilkinson, who represents Upton on MHDC.

She said it was not reasonable to expect people to ask to use toilets in pubs and restaurants.

She added that it simply was not possible for the town council to meet the total cost of providing toilets, given that it only has 2,500 Council Tax-payers.

"Local people already pay through their Council Tax for the hanging baskets and tubs that have won the town Britain in Bloom competitions. We bring in more tourists than anywhere else in the district," said Mrs Wilkinson.

She said she hoped common sense would prevail and councillors would vote against the plans.