A VANDALISED public toilet could finally be converted after a land ownership mystery was solved.

For several years, traders and residents have complained about the convenience on Friar Street, in Shotton.

Built by Shotton Parish Council and maintained by Easington District Council, it became a problem for both when vandals turned it into an unsightly wreck.

In an attempt to keep the vandals out, the parish council paid for a steel fence to surround it, but this did not prevent youths from getting in.

Following consultations, one resident offered to buy the toilet and convert it into a garage. But, when inquiries were made into the land's ownership, the deeds could not be found.

Now the parish council has discovered the toilet belongs to the district council, and plans to lease it, then sub-let it to the resident.

Stuart Wardle, clerk to Shotton Parish Council, said: "Over the last five years, the toilet has degenerated, so we had a public consultation about it,"

"The cost to demolish the toilet would be £8,000 to £10,000, and it would create an area where youths could congregate.

"Now that we have sorted out the land ownership, we hope to lease the land within the next couple of months."

Mr Wardle said if the plans to convert the toilet into a garage do not go ahead, the parish council will meet the bill for its demolition.