VILLAGERS campaigning to save a public convenience from closure have collected thousands of signatures in support.

Campaigners placed a petition book inside the conveniences at Shap and have so far collected almost 3,000 signatures from local people and tourists drawn from as far away as America, reports Paul Duncan.

They have also put a sign outside the loos to inform people about the essential siting of the toilets. It points out that the next nearest public toilets are either ten miles to the north in Penrith or 16 miles to the south in Kendal.

"They could be closed as soon as Christmas," said campaign organiser John Lowis.

Eden District Council plans to transfer the management of several public toilets deemed to "serve a lesser tourism need", to local organisations which will assume responsibility for cleaning and maintaining them. Also under threat are the toilets at Dufton, Orton and Tebay.

In the case of the public toilets at Shap, it is hoped that Shap Parish Council will step in and look after them but, if this does not happen, then the toilets will be closed.

Mr Lowis criticised Eden District Council for its closure attitude: "There is an element that seem to have flushed their brains down the toilet. They have no idea of the amount of use these toilets get from coast-to-coast walkers, wagon drivers and villagers."

Mr Lowis even claims that he was told by council officials that walkers would have to use toilets at the Westmorland Service Station on the M6, around four miles away: "I can't imagine many people wanting to hike up the motorway," he said.

If management of the toilets is transferred to Shap Parish Council it would have to levy an extra charge on the council tax precept, which Mr Lowis said would be around £15 a year per household. He also believes that the sanitary implications of the toilet closures are being ignored.

"Where are people going to go? Behind walls? What would people be fined if they were caught urinating in the street?"

Director of technical services at Eden District Council Steve Huddart said that nothing had yet been decided and all options were still being considered.

"We are aware that the issue of public toilets is one of concern and a number of councillors have requisitioned the council for further discussions which will take place at a meeting on October 21," he said.

A spokesperson from Shap Parish Council declined to comment on Mr Lowis's claims but said that talks with Eden District Council were "ongoing."

Meanwhile, Penrith and The Border MP David Maclean said Eden District Council needed to revisit the plan to close and re-classify public toilets throughout the area. "These toilets throughout the whole district are vital to tourists and visitors and I appeal to Eden counc illors to look at this issue again."