It's going to be free to spend a penny in Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

A 10p charge on public loos in markets in the two towns has been dropped by Kirklees Council.

But that’s the only bit of good news as the council has also confirmed that other public toilets in both towns have now shut down.

The authority, hoping to save tens of thousands of pounds, closed the toilets in Albion Street, Huddersfield, and Longcauseway, Dewsbury.

They have also confirmed a plan to hand over the running of toilets in Holmfirth to Holme Valley Parish Council.

The toilets at Queensgate Market, Huddersfield Open Market and Dewsbury Market have now been made available free of charge, having previously cost 10p.

In Queensgate Market, there are seven ladies and two gents toilets, plus baby changing facilities and disabled toilets. These are open 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am-5.30pm on Saturday. At Huddersfield Open Market, there are two ladies and two gents toilets, plus baby changing facilities and disabled toilets. These are open 8am-5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

At Dewsbury Market, there are six ladies and two gents toilets, plus baby changing and disabled toilets. These are open 8am-5pm on Monday – Saturday (noon on Tuesday) and 7am-noon on Sunday.

The council hopes to save £150,000 a year by closing the attended public toilets in Huddersfield, Holmfirth and Dewsbury.

The Holmfirth toilets have closed but will soon be re-opened by the parish council.

They are now looking for individuals and groups to volunteer to keep open the toilets.

The council hopes to develop the building as an amenity of which Holmfirth can be proud, having signed a six-month lease with Kirklees.

This trial period ends on March 31, 2015 when the decision will be made by Kirklees Council as to whether the arrangements continue or come to an end.

A Parish Council spokesman said: “Initially, the need is to find the basic essentials – someone to open and lock up, someone to clean, someone to maintain facilities and provide the loo rolls and essential cleaning materials.

“It is hoped that following the lease agreement that longer term plans can be put in place to retain the toilets by securing and maintaining the building to

become an asset to the Valley. This will include generating ideas to make full use of the non-toilet areas by creating a charitable management group to run them.

“The vision is that the toilets, which will be free to use, will become an award winning ‘Toilet of the Year’ within the next couple of years. It is hoped that the toilets will

become self-funding, through fund-raising, sponsorship and advertising, but an honesty box will be available and donations welcomed”.