TOILETS have reopened in Skipton's Coach Street car park following a £70,000 refurbishment.

The toilets were opened by Skipton Mayor, Cllr John Dawson, in time for the arrival of thousands of people for the Tour de France.

Paid for largely by the town council, but with donations from Crav en District Council and the Tarn Moor Trust, the toilets have a voluntary charge and will be subjected to a new cleaning regime to make sure they remain in top condition.

Town council leader, Cllr Chris Harbron, said the council - which manages the toilets for Craven Council - had always been convinced of the need of public facilities in the car park.

"We were also conscious that, in their previous condition, they did not create the correct impression of Skipton and we'd been receiving an increasing number of complaints."

He added the only solution, other than handing them back to Craven Council and risk them being permanently closed, was to undertake refurbishment.

"I'm really delighted with the finished result which creates an important facility visitors that our town and local residents deserve."

The refurbishment was carried out by Dobson Construction Ltd.

Meanwhile, the council has introduced a new cleaning regime and regular, random inspections throughout the day to keep the toilets in tip-top condition and to discourage any anti-social behaviour.

The toilets are open from 8am to 6pm and there is a voluntary donation of 20p. Users are also being asked to report any sign of damage to the town council.