ESK Valley villagers are furious after public toilets were closed without warning this week.

Members of Danby Group Parish Council were outraged to hear at their Wednesday meeting that toilets in nearby Commondale and Westerdale had been boarded up.

It follows years of wrangling on the matter between the parish council and Scarborough Borough Council.

Scarborough wanted to close the toilets to save money, but locals argued that the conveniences were vital for tourism; there were no other facilities available for ramblers, cyclists or motorists visiting the villages.

Eventually, the parish council agreed last year to take over the running of the toilets as the only way to keep them open, with an offer of cash help from the North York Moors National Park.

The vice-chairman, Coun Geoff Banner, told the meeting: "This is a complete breach of faith, they have done this without any communication, warning or explanation, while we were in talks with them about the toilets. It's just ludicrous."

Chairman Coun Herbert Tindall added: "We need to write to them and express our utter disgust at what they have done, they haven't even the decency to consult us."

Mr Ian Scarth, of Westerdale, told councillors he was particularly concerned about the effect the closure would have there.

"Westerdale doesn't have any facilities, like pubs, where the public can use toilets. We get an awful lot of walkers. I'm already cleaning up excrement from our driveway and I'm worried the problem is going to worsen.

"The first thing anyone does when they come to walk in the countryside is they pay a visit to the loo. It's just downright ridiculous to close them like this without any notice."

Coun Banner said the parish had asked Scarborough in January to provide details of the freehold for the toilets, before responsibility for them was transferred.

They had not had a reply.

"Now they have closed the toilets, with no consultation."

Members agreed to write to the chief executive of Scarborough Council, their local MP and the national parks authority, expressing their concerns.

Scarborough Council environmental health officer. Steve Reynolds, said his council was under the impression Danby Council was not in a position to take-on Commondale and Westerdale toilets.

"After exploratory talks with Danby Group Parish Council, we were left with the impression that they were not in a position to take on Commondale and Westerdale.

"The time for closure of the toilets is now overdue and that is why, given the position of the parish council, Commondale and Westerdale were closed.

"No-one from the parish council has been in touch with us since the closure, but if they feel they are in a position to go ahead with taking over the running of the toilets, we will be happy to discuss that with them.