EXFORD’S new £25,000 unisex toilets were officially opened on Tuesday with a plea from parish council chairman Mike Ellicott for the Government to exempt public loos from business rates.

He said the pledge, made by former Prime Minister David Cameron, would relieve hard-pressed communities who had taken on the responsibility of continuing to provide the facilities.

The new toilets, in the village car park, have full disabled access and baby-changing facilities and are powered by solar panels.

They were funded by local people, grants and Exmoor National Park Authority, and were the result of a village poll which decided on a new building rather than taking over the existing toilets from West Somerset Council.

The result of a partnership between the national park, the district council and the parish council, the toilets will be run by the parish.

Cllr Ellicott thanked everyone who had made the project possible, especially Dr Nigel Stone and colleagues at the park authority. He also thanked district councillors Martin Dewdney and Karen Mills for their support.

The building was designed by David Hancock, of Porlock, and constructed by Porlock builder Chris Horne. Solar panels were installed by Solar PV of Umberleigh.

Cllr Dewdney, West Somerset Council’s lead member for the environment, said: “This has been a really successful project with all involved working together for the benefit of the community. Exford is a prime example of what can be achieved locally.

“West Somerset Council is continuing to work with other parishes and towns which want to take over responsibility for public toilets, and we are making good progress.”

Pictured at Tuesday’s opening are, from the left, David Hancock, Chris Horne, Cllr Mike Ellicott,Cllr Martin Dewdney and Cllr Karen Mills.