MINEHEAD businesses have stepped in to ensure holidaymakers will be able to spend a penny in one of the busiest parts of the town during the busiest time of the year.

The Minehead Tourism and Business Association, set up by local guest house owner Steve Grice earlier this year, has clinched a deal with West Somerset Council for the temporary reopening of The Carousel public toilets on the seafront.

The loos will only be in action for the six week high summer season but volunteers from the MTBA - largely local traders and tourism providers - have pledged to take on the cleaning and maintenance, even providing the toilet rolls.

The council, which owns the toilets, agreed they should be permanently closed following consultation last year.

Two disabled toilets remained open and these have since been opened up to all users.

But business leaders insisted all the toilets were needed to meet the demand, especially with the current heatwave swelling the number of visitors.

And this week the council agreed to earmark a total of £1,050 to allow the toilets to reopen - £800 to cover water and electricity costs plus a £250 contingency for any unforeseen expense.

Lead member for regeneration and economic growth Cllr Karen Mills told an extraordinary meeting of the council on Monday that three of the four soap, water and hot air dispensers had been fixed at no cost to the authority.

She said she had been in discussions with the MTBA and had made frequent trips to check how much the toilets were being used.

"In my opinion, we are going to be in trouble if we don't reopen them," she said.

"Numbers are swelling because the weather is so good.

"I am happy to accept this offer from the MTBA - but without it we would not be reopening these toilets."

Councillors were told that the offer would save the authority just over £500.

The MTBA had offered to maintain and clean the toilets, take on responsibility for unlocking and locking them at the beginning and end of the day and inspect them regularly.

The council would inspect them once a week to meet the requirement of its public liability insurance cover.

Cllr Andrew Hadley congratulated Cllr Mills for securing the solution.

"This has been a problem that has been brewing for weeks," he said.

"Tourism is a major part of Minehead's economy and these toilets are needed when the town is busy."

Cllr Les Smith said he supported the partnership deal but warned that it could be seen as setting a precedent.

But Cllr Martin Dewdney welcomed it as a "pragmatic low-cost solution" while, like a number of other councillors, highlighting that it was just a short-term measure.

Cllr Maureen Smith said a long-term plan was needed to upgrade all the town's toilets and Cllr Mandy Chilcott said the council should look at the idea of community interest groups.

Meanwhile, the council's decision was greeted with delight by Mr Grice, who said local traders and businesses knew from experience that the Carousel loos were probably the busiest in town.

"We are very pleased that the council has accepted our offer," said Mr Grice.

"It is a positive step forward and we want to build on this by encouraging closer working between the council and the local community.

"These toilets may only be open for the next six weeks but it will make a massive difference to visitors.

"We don't want to see the success of the season damaged and we know this can only be good for the town."

But Mr Grice said the MTBA was looking for more volunteers - and donations - to help clean and maintain the loos.

"Even if someone just wants to donate a few toilet rolls, we will be very grateful," he said.

Anyone willing to join a rota of volunteers or make a financial contribution can contact Mr Grice on 01643 702975.