AN IN-DEPTH study into the state of York's public toilets has been called for by city leaders.

It follows an Evening Press investigation which found that many were dirty and unhygienic.

A scrutiny board of City of York Council also recommended that a redundant toilet block off Lord Mayor's Walk could be pulled down, and the area re-landscaped to deter drug use.

Evening Press reporters visited six of the city's public toilets last month, and found many of them dirty and suffering problems such as graphic sexual graffiti and evidence of drug use.

The cross-party council board was set up specifically to look at the future of the Lord Mayor's Walk toilets.

But a spokesman said: "We concluded that the broader issue of the standards of toilet provision within York would benefit from further scrutiny and we recommend that this be carried over until after the (May 1) elections."

The board came up with two conclusions for the Lord Mayor's Walk toilet block - pull it down or sell it.

The building was closed five years ago because of a lack of use. An attempt to re-open it privately also failed.

It has now been stripped of its fittings, so to open it again would be expensive.

But councillors did realise there was a need for toilets in the area, which is close to a car park. They suggested that an alternative be considered, such as a "superloo" cubicle.

The spokesman said: "The 'superloo' was described by council officers as completely vandal proof and would provide a public convenience for both sexes and include disabled access.

"It may be possible to realise value from the existing site of the toilets, with either the provision of affordable housing for the area or the sale of the site, and to reinvest in modern toilet provision on the car park adjacent."

The change would also deal with the growing problem of vandalism and antisocial behaviour in the area.

"The area surrounding the site remains an attraction as a meeting place and for the disposal of used needles, while the shrubbery provides cover for undesirable activities," said the spokesman.

"Several members of the board suggested that a possible solution to the problem would be to landscape the area with sympathetic planting and provide a "superloo" within the grounds of the St John's car park."

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, April 03, 2003