THE first phase of a £105,000 scheme to improve public toilets is set to be approved.

The ten-year programme, which aims to update Richmondshire toilet blocks, is scheduled to start this spring.

In 2018/19, £20,000 of the investment will be used to upgrade ten of the oldest hand wash units in the district.

The remaining 20 will be replaced by the end of 2021.

Councillor Ian Threlfall, Richmondshire District Council’s deputy leader, said: “This will improve the general condition and long-term viability of the public toilets, along with removing any potential risks to the public within these areas.

“We now charge people to use these facilities, so it is important we keep them up to scratch and reinvest the income we receive.”

The authority’s corporate board is expected to approve the plans next week.