Re-opening a town centre public toilet block would cost nearly £80,000 of public money.

Refurbishing the toilets in Chapel Street has been suggested by Halstead’s town team as a way of improving the town centre.

Halstead Town Council, which is likely to pay for the improvements, is considering funding the project by charging people 20p to use the toilets.

The council voted to close the toilets in December 2005, as part of a cost-cutting operation to ensure council tax stayed low.

But it has been investigating options and seeking estimates for the project in recent months.