NOTHING gives a worse impression of a city than public toilets being in a filthy condition. Yet facilities across York were left in a mess over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, thanks to shortages in cleaning staff.

An investigation by this newspaper highlighted this unhappy, and unhygienic, state of affairs. Thanks to our efforts, City of York Council has apologised to residents, visitors and businesses for such a slip in standards.

At a full council meeting last night, members of the authority voted to put the contract out to tender in 2003.

We are delighted that the council has taken action to improve matters. And with another Bank Holiday weekend ahead, we hope that enough cleaning staff are at the ready.

Updated: 10:19 Wednesday, May 01, 2002