CHIPPING Norton's town hall public toilets have been officially opened after a £120,000 refurbishment.

The modern facilities include self-contained cubicles, gents urinals, baby changing, and access for people with disabilities.

The new scheme will provide two direct access cubicles for ladies, one fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, and a gents cubicle also compliant with the act plus a separate urinal. Both ladies and gents will have baby change facilities.

The refurbishment was carried out after massive lobbying from the town council and local residents. West Oxfordshire District council had expressed doubts about the project amid concerns over security.

But Cllr David Harvey, who performed the opening ceremony on Monday, said: "A great deal of thought and hard work has gone into providing a solution that is best for Chipping Norton. "This has resulted in improving access and pathways to the toilets, providing additional lighting, and designing the lobby areas to discourage loitering. The toilets are also coin-operated and as vandal proof as possible. I am sure everyone will be pleased with the outcome."

Refurbishing the conveniences has cost £121,500 and is part of a major refurbishment programme across the district costing a total of £819,000. In 2006, the New Street car park toilets were completed, costing £84,700