The mayor of Ellesmere, Councillor Paul Goulbourne, has called on young people in the town to take greater care of their facilities after public toilets were seriously damaged.

Last week, the locks on doors in the public toilets in Cross Street appeared to have been kicked in, with huge chunks found on the floor, much to the councillor’s disgust.

Cllr Goulbourne admitted the council will have to replace the locks, and said it is disappointing as, with the repairs coming out of the town’s council tax, it is residents who are being made to pay.

“The damage was done by kids and they were caught on CCTV,” he said.

“It was more mature youngsters and the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) knows who they are.

“But what can they do? They go to speak to them and to their parents, they tell them off and then they do it again.

“The costs the town council a lot of money to replace the locks and repair the damage.

“As the mayor of the town, I am calling on people to take more care about our facilities and for parents to know where their kids are at night.

“We’re not a rich town council and the money needed to repair the toilets is coming out of the residents’ precept.”

Anyone wishing to report damage to the council are urged to get in touch with them.