A TOWN councillor is so determined to keep open public toilets that he has volunteered to look after them himself.

Clr Andrew White now locks up Mirfield’s town centre conveniences and says he is prepared to get his hands dirty to prevent Kirklees Council from shutting them permanently.

Clr White, also a town centre greengrocer, stepped in when Kirklees warned that the toilets – behind Mirfield Library – were under threat.

A council attendant opens up the loos in a morning but Clr White closes them between 5.30pm and 6pm.

Clr White said that the public toilets in Station Road were vital facilities.

“These are the only public toilets in town and are important for older people and families,” he said.

“We should be fighting for more local facilities not closing down what we have.”

Clr White keeps a check on the toilets for graffiti and damage and wouldn’t be beyond cleaning the toilets himself if it meant keeping them open.

“I don’t mind getting my hands dirty,” he said.

“I’d even clean the toilets myself if I had to.

“I will do everything in my power to keep the toilets open.”

Kirklees was asked about the closure threat but a spokesman would only say:

“It is likely that the future of Mirfield toilets will be discussed by cabinet, but as yet we don’t know when this will be.”