SIR – Whenever I get the opportunity, it is always a pleasure to visit the lovely city of Worcester where both my partner and I enjoy the many shops and sitting by the river watching the boats and barges go by. We’ve found the people we have met to be very friendly and helpful at all times.

Having said this, we recently visited Cripplegate Park, where there were well maintained lawns and flowerbeds as well as immaculately kept bowling greens. Needing to spend a penny we went to the toilets in the park, one of which was for the disabled. However, my Radar key would not open the door so I assumed it was out of order. So with the help of my carer and partner, I went into the adjoining gents toilet.

Here, we were greeted by conditions which were most unpleasant. The stench was nauseating as there was no evidence of the flushing of water in the urinal area. There were two toilet cubicles, one of which the door was jammed shut, and the other, which seemed to have been nailed up was standing open. Here we were further appalled as the entire toilet pedestal had been ripped out and there was mess all over the floor.

We made a prompt departure in order to get to the next nearest toilet, which was on the other side of the river, had recently been refurbished, and where one had to insert 20p to gain admittance. It was well worth the money to get a decent toilet.

We will not let this unfortunate incident prevent us from visiting Worcester in the future, but we think that the state of this toilet is a health hazard and members of the council, whom we assume to be responsible for the upkeep of the park, should visit this eyesore as soon as possible – preferably with a camera – and either refurbish the toilet block or demolish it completely.

LEONARD TAYLOR, Hereford.