People in Idle are being urged to shop vandals who are smashing up the village public toilets.

A local councillor warned today that the toilets - built for £30,000 in 1982 after a major local campaign - may be forced to shut down if problems continue.

Idle ward councillor Ken Baxter blamed the damage on gangs of young people who had even been ripping slates off the roof of the toilets, as well as scrawling graffiti and smashing fittings.

"People campaigned for years to get public toilets in Idle and we were all delighted with them," he said. "It's absolutely shocking that this is going on. If this vandalism goes on, these toilets will be closed."

The campaign to get the toilets built began in 1977 when old facilities at the New Street/High Street junction were closed.

The Telegraph & Argus recorded how 1,314 people signed a petition and a council committee was told of a 'phantom tiddler' who left his mark on shop doorways on Friday and Saturday nights. It was also claimed that shoppers were having to hail cabs to dash home and answer the call of nature. The successful campaign resulted in the toilets being built in the car park in 1982.

Today, police said extra patrols would be considered and officials urged local residents to shop the culprits.

Sergeant Paul Jeffreys of Eccleshill police said: "Obviously damage to any property whether private or publicly-owned is a serious criminal offence. I look forward to receiving further information so we can take positive action against those responsible. If it transpires that increased police presence is required, then that can be increased wherever possible."

Alan Baff, city cleansing officer, said: "Vandalism is a general problem, and many public toilets are affected. In some cases toilets have been closed down because of repeated damage.

"I share Councillor Baxter's concerns about what is happening in Idle and we constantly review the ways we tackle the problem.

"We welcome the help of the police and local residents who can play an important part in maintaining these facilities by reporting vandals.''

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.