TOURISM leaders in Upton-upon-Severn and Tenbury Wells have attacked the policy that led to the closure of public toilets in both towns.

Malvern Hills District Council's decision to provide public toilets at only one location in each town was misguided and short-sighted, said Chris Dell, chairman of Tenbury's Tourism Group.

He said the council should look at the neighbouring district of Wychavon, which provides at least two sets of toilets in each town and wins awards for them.

"If Wychavon can provide the facilities people want, despite charging much lower council tax, isn't it time Malvern Hills got its act together?" he said.

Peter Webb, acting chairman of Upton Tourism and Trade Association, said toilets at both Lower High Street and the Hanley Road car park were essential for the town's tourist trade.

"A lot of coaches drop elderly clients at Lower High Street and it is a good quarter of a mile, across two main roads, from there to Hanley Road," he said.

"If coach operators get to Upton and find there are no facilities they will go somewhere else and our vibrant town centre will be ruined."

Town clerk Gill Jennings said Upton Town Council had been prepared to discuss making a contribution to the cleaning costs of the Lower High Street toilets, but the district council had not left any room for negotiation on the issue.

"Its proposal was for us to take on the leasehold and maintenance of the Hanley Road toilets and the freehold and maintenance of Lower High Street," Ms Jennings said.

The subject will be discussed at tonight's meeting of Upton Town Council and is due to be raised again at a meeting of the District Council on April 3.