FOR people visiting one North-East town, relief is at hand after ten years.

The toilet block in the centre of Guisborough, east Cleveland, reopened yesterday following an £80,000 refurbishment.

The reopening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Councillor Bob Stanway said he was at a loss to understand why it took ten years for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to reopen them.

He said: "I'm afraid to say it is an absolute mystery why these toilets have been closed for over ten years, other than supposing previous administrations simply have not bothered to find the money to reopen them."

The toilets have disabled access and baby changing facilities.

There is also office space in the block for the town's traffic wardens. Coun Stanway said: "I am delighted the work is complete and that they will be open in time for the summer visitors.

"It was one of the (council) coalition's initial commitments to improve facilities for both residents and visitors, and this investment is a good example of how we intend to make the borough clean, green and safe."

The council said it would spend £200,000 on public toilets over three years, and it is hoped a block at Marske will be complete before the end of the financial year.