NEGOTIATIONS are to be held to ensure four moorland public conveniences remain open.

"People come to the North York Moors Park for a view, a brew, and a loo. This is what we should remember," the park authority was told yesterday by member Mrs Pat Chandler.

Members were asked to discuss with some urgency whether to take over four public lavatories in the Esk valley to prevent them from being closed by Scarborough council.

The loos at Aislaby, Commondale, Egton and Westerdale are among a number Scarborough council is planning to close to save money to spend on improving urban toilets.

National Park planning officers yesterday recommended that the authority take over ownership of the four conveniences which would cost the authority £10,000 a year.

Richard Dunston, planning officer, believed the cost could be reduced by better management. He said taking over the toilets would be of benefit to the park.

"People plan walks around the availability of toilets and, in the interest of visitors and residents alike, I think we would be justified in taking them on," he said.

Although many members were against the recommendation on principle it was agreed they should be kept open.The committee accepted recommendations to negotiate further with Scarborough council.