THE future of a market town's underground Victorian lavatories was under threat on Monday as a town council refused to spend a penny on them.

The question of upkeep of the toilets, on the cobbles in Barnard Castle, was discussed by the town council following a request from Teesdale District Council that members take over responsibility for them.

Coun Terry Nunn felt it was not possible; they did not have enough money to clean them never mind buy and maintain them. It was Teesdale council's way of offloading them because of the state they were in.

Coun John Watson defended the district council's stance, saying the district auditor had instructed them to provide statutory services. The town council had to look at whether the toilets would be closed. They should not dismiss the issue out of hand as Hamsterley had done.

He felt the clerk should be authorised to find out more details of the exact cost, as they should be in reasonable condition for some time yet. Was Teesdale council willing to contribute anything?

But Coun Eric Fell thought what they were being offered was a liability. Would the district council like to offer them a non-statutory service like the car park so they could use the income from it to maintain the toilets?

Although members did not wish to see the closure of the lavatories, they did not feel justified in the expenditure involved in taking them over, voting against the district council's suggestion.