DRUG-RELATED materials and rubbish littered a York city centre public toilet - only weeks after City of York Council unveiled plans to give them a makeover.

Peter Taylor, of Holgate, York, contacted the Evening Press after finding evidence of drug use in the Exhibition Square toilets.

He said: "It was a real mess. There were discarded needles and open sterile packets and tissues. One needle was filled with blood. It was disgusting."

Earlier this month, the council began a £45,000 overhaul of the city's amenities.

A spokesman for City of York Council said: "These toilets were subjected to an attack by vandals and or drugs users. Toilet rolls were deliberately stuffed into the toilet bowls and caused a blockage. As soon as we became aware of the attack we immediately closed the toilet and called in a cleaning crew who were expected to ensure the facility could be reopened within the hour."

Updated: 11:38 Friday, April 25, 2003