CONTROVERSIAL plans to close Allerford's only public toilets could be overturned - with a little help from the local community.

The National Trust, which owns the facility, sparked an outcry from Allerford Forge and the West Somerset Rural Life Museum when it announced at the end of last year that the toilets were to close as part of a redevelopment of the Allerford Reading Room - a base for a range of clubs and organisations.

But this week the trust announced the loos could now remain open, thanks to support from the Reading Room committee.

However, the deal depends on local residents, businesses or organisations being prepared to take on the maintenance and cleaning of the toilets.

Trust spokesman Allan King said that following talks, the Reading Room committee was prepared to change its redevelopment plans - which would see the creation of a full-size skittle alley - to allow public access to the toilets.

"We have had some very productive talks and we are grateful to the Reading Room committee," he said.

"We have now written to Selworthy and Minehead Without Parish Council to explore the possibility of the community taking on responsibility for the cleaning and maintenance of the toilets."

Mr King said the trust would pay the Reading Room committee's costs of changing its plans and also pick up the annual bill for the toilets' water and electricity costs.

But it could not sustain any additional costs of running the facility.

Traditionally, the trust has paid the Exmoor National Park Authority around £6,000 a year to run the Allerford loos.

Mr King said the trust had had to divert its funding to support the most well-used public toilets in nearby Bossington and Horner.

"This should be a good solution but it does depend on the willingness of the community to help," he said.

"There is great support for this to happen and it was never our intention to disadvantage either the forge or the museum."

Both outlets had feared that closing the toilets would hit visitor numbers, with neither having toilets available for public use.

The museum attracts thousands of people each year, including school parties and warned that the closure of the toilets could have a major effect on its future viability.

Kyle Roberts of Allerford Forge, which has a team of six blacksmiths and metalworkers, had also warned of the potentially devastating impact on passing trade.

But this week he said he was now more hopeful that the outcome may be more positive.

"Obviously it has yet to be resolved and I understand the parish council will be discussing the issue in early March," he said.

"But we are just hoping that a solution can be found."