HALSTEAD'S only public toilets are now open following a £20,000 revamp.

The toilets on Kings Road have been closed for refurbishment since March with the aim of being completed in time for summer.

The new lavish loo's are open with new gender specific toilets and disabled facilities.

The renovations cost around £20,000 which was largely paid for out of the surplus which Halstead Town Council has saved during the last financial year.

A spokesman for Halstead Town Council said: "The Town Council has been aware for some time that the Kings Road toilets, which are now the only public toilets in the town, were in urgent need of refurbishment.

"The previous equipment was installed in 2002.

"The toilets were closed at the beginning of March, and all fittings and fixtures were stripped out. "The floor has been ground away to remove dirt.

"We now have male, female and disabled cubicles, with walls and ceilings in hygienic bioclad sheeting, altro flooring and stainless steel sanitary ware.

"They are sparkling, fresh and easy to clean, and it is hoped that local people will treat the new toilets with respect."