NEWLY-refurbished public toilets have been forced to close earlier each evening after vandals caused extensive damage.
Only six months ago, the facilities in Stokesley's market place were given a £50,000 revamp. But over the past few weeks, vandals have been targeting them.
Wall tiles have been broken, a sink smashed, the changing area destroyed, wall heater broken and graffiti sprayed in the toilets. Empty wine bottles and food cartons were also left strewn about.
Hambleton District Council's operation services manager, Mike Kneebone, said: "We have now decided to close the facilities earlier in the evening. We apologise to the people of Stokesley but we cannot allow this to continue.
"It is only six months since we reopened these facilities for the people of Stokesley, having spent a great deal of public money on them.
"We are very disappointed that a small minority are wrecking them."
The toilets will now be closed at 7pm.
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