The public toilets at Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre (CRiC) are to remain open, the town council has announced.

It was feared that, due to significant reductions in the Government Grant Award to Powys County Council, the facilities would have to close - at great inconvenience to residents and tourists alike.

As a result of significant austerity cuts, Powys entered into discussions with CRiC management to reduce the funding made available by approximately 30 per cent over the next three years. CRiC was unable to make up the shortfall from its own finances and it was anticipated that the conveniences would have to be closed from April 1.

Instead, the town council, working with Powys County Council and the CRiC management team, has agreed to assume responsibility for the running of the facilities, filling the gap in required funding.

In the short term, funding will come from existing council funds with no further impact on the tax paying residents of Crickhowell for now. But, after the initial three years, additional funds will have to be raised to continue to keep the facilities open.

Over the next year, the town council will consult with the council tax payers of Crickhowell to seek agreement to raise this extra funding through an increase in the local portion of the council tax bill known as the 'precept'.

A spokesman for the town council said,"We saw the need to continue to provide these facilities for our community and for our many visitors.

"We are pleased that we were able to allocate funds for this project so there is no additional cost to Crickhowell council tax payers in the short term, while longer term solutions can be investigated and our residents consulted."

David Thomas, Chairman of CRiC, said that he was very pleased that the town council had come to the rescue and that CRiC would continue to support them by providing onsite inspection and oversight of the facilities.