PUBLIC toilets in Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens have been shut after vandals broke in and caused ‘serious’ damage.

The vandals also broke into a store room on site and took material which they then set on fire close to the gardens’ Burma Star war memorial.

A town council spokesperson said ‘significant damage’ had been done to toilets and windows in the building on Wednesday night (February 11).

They said: “The facilities will remain closed for the foreseeable future while repairs are carried out.

“The police have been informed and photographs of the damage have been provided.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this causes to genuine users.

“The nearest alternative public toilets are located at Summerland Car Park.”

Anybody with information which could help inquires into the burglary is asked to contact the town council by emailing [email protected] or calling 01643 707213.

The spokesperson said: “Our sincere thanks go to Minehead Fire Station for their swift response and for their continued dedication to our community.”

The Burma Star memorial was restored by the town council only last October, during the 80th anniversary year of VJ Day.

In Watchet, the town’s Harbour Road public toilets have suffered another in a string of vandalism attacks.

The toilets have been closed at night since December, which will continue for the remainder of the winter months, after nearly £1,000 of damage was caused.

But the toilet block was attacked again in late December, and now a further incident has occurred.

A town council spokesperson said: “This will result, again, in charges for repairs being taken from public funds.

“We would ask anybody with information on the acts of criminal damage currently occurring, to please pass this to staff at Watchet Town Council.

“We are working closely with police to ensure the culprits are apprehended as quickly as possible.”