RESIDENTS in Thirsk are to pay an extra 4.3 per cent for services provided by their town council as the cost of running its public toilets continues to rise.

Members agreed to levy householders a total of £132,200, £5,500 more than for the 2015-16 financial year, meaning band D taxpayers would pay £79.35 for services ranging from cemetery maintenance to grass cutting.

Councillors said they had cut their amenities budget, for play areas and open spaces, but the cost of operating the Millgate toilets had risen to about £19,500, with increased cleaning, electricity and water charges.

Mayor Derek Adamson said it was receiving £1,300 less from the county council, he hoped residents would not notice much difference in the town council's services.

He added the council was continuing to call on the government to abolish levying business rates on the toilets, which last year rose from £2,550 to £2,880.

"It is necessary that we continue to run the toilets," he added. "When they were threatened with closure while being run by Hambleton District Council we were told by tour operators that they wouldn't come to Thirsk without them. They are bringing a lot of trade to Thirsk."