DISABLED people will still have to pay to use the newly revamped Angel Place toilets, after the city council decided to reject pleas for a U-turn.

As reported in the Worcester News last month, Coun Sam Arnold has called for the council to allow disabled people to use radar keys to access the facilities.

But at a meeting of the city's cabinet this week, leader of the council Coun Simon Geraghty said the authority was doing everyone a favour by providing public toilets.

"When we opened these toilets, we did it within certain budget constraints," he said. "We set out to achieve safe, clean accessible public toilets, and I think we've done that.

"The other option would be to close these toilets - with it not being a statutory council service, if we are not careful, we can undermine these excellent facilities.

"On balance, I am still happy to support the charge for all people and am glad we treat them equally."

The decision infuriated opposition Labour councillors. Coun Paul Denham said: "Personally, I have no difficulty in paying for improved toilets, but we all know levels of poverty in disabled groups is much higher than in others.

"When they get reduced admission to things like sports facilities, why can't we provide them with free admission here?

"It does look a little mean if this council is going to be one of the very few in the country that makes people with disabilities pay for toilets."

Coun Arnold said he was "not surprised" by the decision, but very disappointed.

"I don't think the charge is justified," he said.

Angel Place toilets reopened 24 hours a day in May after a £138,000 upgrade, with a barrier-controlled 20p entry system for all users.

No one from the Disability Information and Advice Line, DIAL, was available to comment.