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Public toilets replace pissoirs

Controversial pissoirs in a Cornish town are to close while the county council pilots a scheme to reopen some public toilets 24 hours a day.

The pissoirs were introduced in 2005 by the then Restormel Borough Council to prevent vandalism of toilets and stop people urinating in doorways. The new unitary Cornwall Council said they had not proved popular and public facilities would be opened instead. Toilets in Fore Street, East Street and Station Approach will open from Friday.

The open-air pissoirs were introduced close to the resort's main nightclubs to stop late-night revellers urinating in streets and in doorways. They were stored underground during the day for self-cleaning.

However, Mike East, head of Environment for Cornwall Council, said they had not proved popular with a variety of people in the town. He said: "We've heard from members of the public, from visitors, from residents, from the town council and local businesses. I think it's fair to say that they haven't been universally popular. One point is that they're coming up and can be in use when there are still families walking around, so they're not ideal."