WORK has started on refurbishing the council-owned public toilets in Heywood Road, Cinderford, as part of a programme to update all council conveniences.

The Cinderford toilet block, situated in the public car park, is the first of five public conveniences to be refurbished during this autumn and winter. They will be followed by public toilets in Lydney, Newent, Newnham and Woolaston.

All the buildings will be refurbished internally and externally, with replacement of toilets and basins, new floor coverings where required, doors repainted, improvements to access and disabled facilities.

Work to refurbish the Cinderford toilets should take around nine weeks. All work should be completed by next May.

Chris Johns, property services manager for the Forest of Dean District Council, said: "We will have to close the toilets when the work is being done but there will be portaloos available, including one with disabled access."