CAMPAIGNERS were delighted yesterday after winning a reprieve for five sets of public toilets that were in danger of being closed in villages in Teesdale.

Jennifer Priestley, who led a fight to keep the toilets open in Staindrop, said: "This is really excellent news as the conveniences are definitely needed. We now hope all thoughts of shutting them down will be put aside."

At present, the reprieve is only temporary, but residents in her village, as well as Hamsterley, Toft Hill, Butterknowle and Eggleston, say they are optimistic that it will become permanent.

Teesdale District Council has agreed that they will stay in use until next spring, when the question of financing them is again likely to be debated.

Mrs Priestley said: "We have proved that the conveniences are used regularly by people passing through the area, as well as our own local people.

"A rural area like Teesdale has many visitors passing through, as well as dale residents who travel around, so it would be madness to close five sets of toilets."

A survey that she organised showed that the Staindrop lavatories were used by a large number of men, women and children every week.

Volunteers in the other villages carried out similar checks to show that their amenities were well also well used.

Mrs Priestley added: "I am usually quite calm, but I got really fired up over this as the loss of public conveniences could lead to all sorts of problems, with people wandering down back lanes or into gardens.

"There has been talk about vandalism, with repairs costing a lot of money, but it is now up to adults in all the five communities to teach their children to respect the facilities and ensure that no more damage is done."

A council spokesman said the closures decision had been deferred.

Some parish councils fear they may be landed with bigger bills to maintain the conveniences in future years but they say this would be unfair, as they are used by the general travelling public, rather than just village residents.