A high street refurbishment will include the demolition of a block of toilets for the disabled.

Epping Forest District Council will bulldoze the facilities and a nearby shop in order to refurbish the walkway between 40 and 42 The Broadway, Loughton.

The council says people should now use the 24-hour 'superloo' near the BP petrol station in the road.

However, a mother with a disabled son plans to change her shopping habits following the closure.

Nicky Turner, of Barfields in Loughton, is a mother-of-two and one of her sons uses a wheelchair.

She said: “The toilets by the petrol station are usually broken and they’re not very private.

“People using the BP garage or people at the bus stop can see you going in and out and we don't want that.

“My disabled son and many other's used this disabled toilet. It is one of the main reasons I do all my shopping in The Broadway. Now I will have to look elsewhere to shop where my son can feel comfortable using the toilets.

“I will probably have to go to somewhere like Harlow where I know there are decent toilet facilities and enough parking.”

A council spokesman said: “When this council’s members made a decision to close most of the traditional toilet blocks some years ago, an agreement was made with Loughton Town Council to take over the toilet at The Broadway so that it could remain open. 

“The agreement has now been surrendered to enable the refurbishment of the walkway which includes demolishing shop 42 and the accessible toilet.”