HOPES have been raised that four public toilets in remote tourist spots can be kept open.

Members of the North York Moors National Park Authority have agreed to take on the freehold and management of the toilets at Aislaby, Commondale, Egton and Westerdale in the Esk Valley, which will cost the authority £10,170.

Scarborough Borough Council, which wanted to close the toilets as part of a plan to upgrade others in the borough, will pay £10,970 index linked for a period of 25 years.

However, several members were against the idea, saying the toilets were the borough authority's responsibility.

Richard Gunton, head of park services, said the toilets were of considerable benefit to the large number of tourists visiting the park - about ten million a year.

He added that many, particularly walkers and cyclists, organised their visits around the siting of the toilets.

The issue will go back to Scarborough council for a final decision on whether to accept the deal.