A RIBBON of loo roll was cut during a ceremony which officially opened Prudhoe’s newly-refurbished public toilets last week.

The toilets at Road Ends had fallen into disrepair and had become victim to vandalism, causing fears that they would be forced to close in the future.

After councillors at Prudhoe Town Council raised concerns about them, funding of £10,000 was provided by Northumberland County Council for work to the toilets, and Prudhoe’s largest employer Essity Prudhoe Mill came forward with a donation of £5,000 to the town council to aid with the revamp.

On Thursday, August 24, councillors, residents, Essity staff and Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman gathered to mark the opening.

Mayor of Prudhoe Coun. Gerry Price said: “The town council is confident that the toilets will remain as an asset in the town and on behalf of all residents are very appreciative of the funding from Essity and the commitment of Northumberland County Council to bring them back to an acceptable standard.”

Mr Opperman cut the toilet roll to mark the official opening, while guests were served toilet seat shaped pizzas from the pizza van which Essity organised to be brought along from the Angel Inn in Corbridge.

“This is a really great example of collaborative working between a very proactive town council, a county council which is very much taking Prudhoe seriously, and a local business,” said Mr Opperman.