A PLAN is being drawn up to reopen town centre toilets after shoppers were 'caught short' because of the closures.

The men's and women's toilets in Richmond Market Place were shut at the beginning of the month by the district council to save money.

The move has proved unpopular with traders and community leaders, who have told how several elderly shoppers have wet themselves because they were unable to reach alternative facilities outside the Market Place.

Kathy Thompson, manager of the town's Edinburgh Woollen Mill store, said people were using her shop's toilets because they were too desperate to walk to the conveniences in Victoria Road.

She said: "We need these toilets, or people will stop visiting Richmond."

In response, Richmondshire district councillor Paul Cullen has put together a plan to reopen the toilets, which he has passed to the town council. He said: "This is a terrible indictment of how we treat both our visitors and residents."

Coun Cullen wants the town council to take on responsibility for the facilities and reopen the toilets for a minimum of six months.

The move, which the councillor believes would cost about £2,000, would give the town council the chance to arrange long-term funding.

Richmond mayor Russell Lord said: "If the figures are correct, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, I personally believe this could be a good investment for the town council."

The town council will discuss the idea next Monday.