Work to allow electronic payments to be taken in Ashby and Coalville public toilets is due to start this month.

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) is upgrading the doors and controls for its toilets to allow for the acceptance of contactless payments as it reintroduces charges.

Work to the toilets, in Derby Road in Ashby and Coalville's former Market Hall, will start from November 27 and is expected to take two days at each location. The toilets will be closed to allow the work to be completed.

The accessible toilets in both towns will continue to be free for anyone using a RADAR key and will also accept coin payments for those without access to contactless payment methods such as a debit card or apps including Google or Apple Pay.

It is a scheme that was narrowly voted through by the council in September, amid some criticism which raised concerns for people without the technology needed to pay to use the facility.

The council responded to those suggestions at the time - and now the plans are set to go ahead.

Before 2019, the District Council charged 10p for adults to use the public toilets, but this was removed during the pandemic to reduce the need for people to handle money.

The council agreed to reintroduce charges for 2023/24 and to increase the charge to 30p in line with neighbouring authorities.

This project is costing £23,400 - and the council says it will reduce the cost of maintenance and security to run the public amenities.

Charges will be introduced as soon as the toilets are reopened.

Cllr Michael Wyatt, NWLDC Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: "We want to ensure value for money for taxpayers across the district, and reintroducing charges for the public toilets will see the cost of the service reduced.

"With more people using electronic payments instead of coins, it is important that we make our public toilets as accessible as possible.

"Our accessible toilets will continue to be free for anyone using a RADAR key, and will provide coin-entry for those preferring to use cash."