A meeting of town councillors last week decided to push through funding to keep Abergavenny public toilets funded and open.

The measure passed council with 12 in favour to just two in opposition.

Councillor John Prosser, said the provision of public toilets was ‘vital to tourism’, adding that visitors to the town often judge their experience with regards to their experience of amenities.

“When people visit this town, and many do, a big thing they judge their visit upon is the availability of toilets and other services, believe it or not.

“A town is judged on their toilets, or whether they have any. We are honestly classed on the little things like that.

“We cannot expect people to want to return, if they find such basic essentials are not provided for them. In my view, we must keep the toilets open, subject to an annual review.

“Our job as a town council is to keep those toilets open, for visitors and residents alike,” he said.

Councillor Douglas Edwards opposed the measure, saying the cost of £58,000 per year outweighed the benefits, and constrained the council’s annual budget.

The toilet blocks at White Horse Lane, Abergavenny, have been subject to wrangling between Monmouthshire County Council and town council for a number of years.