VANDALS and drug-users have taken an early swipe at a bid to boost public toilet opening hours in Yarm.

During a week-long experiment with continuous opening, the lavatories in the town hall were damaged and used syringes left lying around.

The toilets will be back on 24-hour opening again next month.

But people are warned that if there is any major trouble the facilities will be closed.

At Tuesday's meeting of Yarm Town Council, clerk Sandra Smith said the recent trial opening had left mess, broken tiles, smashed glass and used syringes.

Scheduled renovation work is now set to start and while this is going on the toilets will close as normal at 5pm, opening at 8.30am.

But, for a couple of days next week, rendering work will mean the toilets will have to close altogether.

In August, they will be open all the time, with monitoring by Stockton Council.

Mrs Smith said: "I can't think why anyone would want to use toilets covered with broken glass. If there is any major damage during the continuous opening period they will be closed."

Coun Philip Addison said: "This confirms our worst fears."

The renovation work is due to be completed by the end the month and Mrs Smith will check the situation in September.

For some time, the council has been receiving pleas for the toilets to be open longer.

Traders feel such facilities should be available in a tourist town and there have been complaints that lack of public toilets has led to people urinating in public places and on private property.