PROPOSALS to close the remaining traditional public toilets across the borough were approved by the council in a move to try and save money and reduce anti-social behaviour.

Councillors want instead to follow other local authorities and ask local shopkeepers to open up their toilets to the public, while paying them an annual sum towards maintenance costs.

The proposal was drawn up in December 2006 as part of a council money-saving exercise. A first wave of closures, which saw six public conveniences across the borough close, was announced last March.

A council spokesperson said that shops would be chosen on the basis of "access, cleanliness and the requirements of the particular area."

He added that they were not expecting to get complaints from shopowners about crime and anti-social behaviour, activities which have been associated with some public toilets in the borough.

He said this had "not been an issue" in Richmond, the council which pioneered the scheme, adding "We will build in provisions for this eventuality".

A Richmond council spokesperson said that the scheme had been popular', adding, "We have not had any official complaints regarding graffiti or vandalism about any toilets participating in the Community Toilet Scheme, as opposed to numerous complaints about public toilets prior to its launch."