HOPES are high that a town centre's Victorian public lavatories will be reopened for the four-month holiday season.

Councillor Newton Wood has drawn up a plan to bring the lavatories in Barnard Castle Market Place back into use.

He has received dozens of complaints from residents, tourists and market traders since Teesdale District Council imposed the closure in spring.

Coun Wood has suggested that a partnership should be set up so that Barnard Castle Town Council will pay the costs of cleaning and maintenance for the summer and autumn.

Coun Wood said yesterday: "It is essential that these toilets should be open during the busy tourist season, and I'm confident my idea will be accepted all round.

"I'm a member of both the district council and town council, so I have been able to get support on both sides.

"It could cost the town council about £2,000 or possibly less. It will be money well spent."

There are more modern lavatories in the town's main car park, but Coun Wood said they were not convenient enough for many shoppers, especially elderly people.

He expected the lavatories to be back in use before next week.