Torbay Council has closed 20 public toilets

Toilets in Dawlish have already been refurbished by Teignbridge District Council at a cost of �145,000.

The council also said it would be spending more than �500,000 on more upgrades in the next few years.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Torbay Council has shut several toilets because of cutbacks, causing public outrage.

We recognise we are the gateway to south Devon and do need to have top-class facilities Alan Connett

Toilets in Dawlish have already been refurbished by Teignbridge Council at a cost of �145,000, and the council said it would be spending the �500,000 on more upgrades in the next few years.

However, just a few miles away in Torbay, the council has closed about 20 public toilets, including facilities at Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, causing a lot of anger from residents and holidaymakers.

Nick Powe, who runs the major tourist attraction Kent's Cavern, said: "This whole saga of loos is so damaging.

"We now have a national reputation for this particular subject."

The toilets have been closed because of cutbacks being made by the council to balance its budget.

However, a petition containing more than 25,000 signatures against Torbay Council's decision to shut public lavatories has been presented to the authority's executive.

Bosses at Torbay said their priorities were education and social services, and budgets are very tight.

However, Teignbridge is not a unitary authority, so does not have such major services to provide.

Liberal Democrat leader of Teignbridge, Alan Connett said: "We recognise we are the gateway to south Devon and do need to have top-class facilities for our customers and residents."