Mid Devon District Council is proposing to close 15 toilets

Mid Devon District Council says the closures would save �70,000 a year, and help prevent further big rises in council tax.

The council is proposing to close the toilets in a number of villages, including Bampton, Hemyock, Uffculme, Sampford Peverell and Lapford.

It would leave Mid Devon with just four public conveniences, two in Tiverton, and one each in Crediton and Cullompton.

But many people are angry at the proposed closures, in tourist villages like Bampton.

West Devon Borough Council has to pay close to �300,000 a year to maintain its public toilets.

Super-loos

In 2002 a quarter of them were up for closure in a cost cutting exercise, in the event they closed just two.

The council was able to reprieve the other five by persuading parish councils to contribute 30% towards their costs.

Toilets have also been closed in North Devon but the council has reinvested the money in a new generation of super-loos, which are more efficient for cleaning purposes, easier to use and more difficult for vandals to besmirch.

The scrutiny committee of Mid Devon District Council is due to examine the closure plans on Wednesday.