A TOILET block closed for three days a week last month should be fully re-opened in time for the summer holidays.

The men's facilities at Millgate in Thirsk were closed in May amid reports of vandalism and that homosexuals were using them as a meeting place.

They were closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, but remained open from Friday to Monday to cope with the weekend tourist trade and market days.

The disabled and ladies toilet blocks have not been affected by the closures.

David McGloin, head of technical services at Hambleton District Council, which owns the toilets, said: "We are working hard to address the maintenance and cleanliness problems in these toilets.

"They have been closed for a trial period and we are now assessing that trial to see if it has helped relieve the problems.

"We are looking for a long-term solution - and are continuing to consult all the relevant groups in the town in order to get the opening hours right. We hope they will be fully re-opened in time for the summer holiday season which kicks off at the end of this month."