PUBLIC toilets are causing a stink in Morecambe and new plans could flush the future of the resort down the drain.

For years visitors have complained about the lack of a suitable place to spend a penny in the tourist resort.

Now councillors have left businesses amazed with a plan to close more conveniences to save money against the advice of a focus group report last year.

"This is another nail in Morecambe's coffin and could kill the town off completely," says hotelier Jim Catterall.

"I have had people complaining to me about the lack of toilets and to close two more is just amazing. It will do nothing to enhance the town."

Last year the city council's community services review board formed a toilet task group' to investigate what action should be taken with loos in the area.

They reported back the need to improve facilities. But Lancaster City Council's Star Chamber process designed to cut costs is recommending closure of toilets near to the Arndale shopping centre and at Bare.

Also on the hit list are toilets at the St Leonardgate car park in Lancaster.

The WCs will be replaced with signs directing cross-legged people to alternative facilities.

In Morecambe the signs would send the desperate scurrying towards the Clock Tower toilets but they have limited opening times.

And now business bosses fear visitors will travel elsewhere.

Says Mr Catterall: "I know of incidents where people have had accidents because they have not been able to make it to a toilet and some people have stopped visiting the town because there is nowhere to spend a penny.

"When the council say they want to attract more people into Morecambe they don't seem to realise that this sort of scheme goes right against their argument.

"And if someone nips down a back alley to go the toilet they will probably find themselves in court a great souvenir of a trip to Morecambe."

Cllr James Airey, who chaired the review board, finds the decision to consider bulldozing sites hard to take.

"We decided that toilets in Morecambe should be done up and they should certainly not be shut down as part of a cost-cutting exercise," he says. "A seaside town like Morecambe needs public toilets."

A spokesman for the city council says: "Lancaster City Council is currently reviewing public conveniences within the district. The review will seek to rationalise public convenience provision and provide for the possibility of reinvestment in the remaining facilities.

"At this stage no formal recommendations have been made no decisions taken."