A PILOT scheme to extend the opening hours of a public toilet block has backfired.

The toilets and waiting room at Braintree bus park immediately suffered vandalism and the cleaner has refused to clean beyond 5.30pm because she feels threatened by youths congregating around the area.

Human waste had also been removed on occasion from sinks and walls, and a cold water pipe was pulled off the wall in November, causing major flooding in the gents toilets.

Last year the Braintree Town Centre Neighbourhood Action Panel (NAP) called for the toilets to stay open for longer for use by taxi and bus drivers and young people, after problems with people urinating outside.

A petition was presented to the council's Braintree local committee meeting in May, where members asked for the closing time to be extended from 5pm to 9.30pm.

But a progress report written by halls manager Sharon Wood, to be presented to the committee on Tuesday, ***jan 26*** says: "Immediately the facilities suffered from vandalism during the evenings.

"Toilet seats disappear almost on a daily basis with toilet rolls being pushed down the toilets, causing blockages.

"Also the chains on the toilets regularly get broken or are removed.

"The graffiti appears more 'graphic' in its content and has recently appeared on the toilet seats in red paint.

"The cleaner continues to dispose of empty alcohol cans from both the gents and ladies cubicles."

Ms Wood said any damage or mess that occurs from 5.30pm to 9.30pm remains until the following evening because the cleaner will not work during those hours due to youths congregating.

The halls services officer also spent over 50 hours over six months on visits and repairs, including being called out on weekends.

The local committee will decide whether to keep the toilets open later, go back to the original hours or close the facilities completely.