YORK'S public toilets, which were left in a filthy state over the Easter weekend, have gained a clean bill of health.

Last month the Evening Press investigated the state of the city's public conveniences, and discovered that staff shortages meant they were not cleaned over the whole of the Easter weekend.

But of five women's toilets revisited yesterday, four had improved, though at St George's Field visitors were choosing not to use the toilet when they realised the state it was in.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "The city centre manager's office is aware that there is a particular drainage problem with St George's Field and they are working to improve it with Yorkshire Water."

The results of our survey were:

Coppergate:

Freshly-mopped floor, clean disinfectant smell, adequate supplies of tissue, hand towels and soap. Attendant on duty. 5/5 (previous rating 3.5/5)

St George's Field:

Woman coming out complaining of the smell, two toilets severely blocked with paper and waste, adequate supplies of tissue and soap, hand dryers working.

1.5/5 (previous rating 2/5)

Nunnery Lane: Bright, looked clean, no smell. Toilet paper in most cubicles but one had broken dispenser. Hand towels and soap. 4/5 (previous rating 3/5)

Museum Gardens: Lights working, bright and clean, no smell. Toilets paper in every cubicle, adequate supplies of soap and towels. 4/5 (previous rating 2/5)

Exhibition Square (Bootham Bar):

Clean, bright, smelled clean, plenty of tissue and soap, hand dryers working. 4.5/5 (previous rating 4/5).

Updated: 11:15 Monday, May 27, 2002