PLANS to spend pennies on upgrading seafront loos in Clevedon could be flushed down the pan, because of a decision to slash budgets. North Somerset Council has

PLANS to spend pennies on upgrading seafront loos in Clevedon could be flushed down the pan, because of a decision to slash budgets.North Somerset Council has trimmed £36,000 of its £90,000 toilet maintenance budget as part of moves to balance the books and keep council tax levels down.But the decision - which has left just £54,000 in the pot to maintain all public loos across the district - has been condemned by town leaders who fear a much needed revamp of the dilapidated Pier Copse lavatories may become a casualty of the cuts.The loos - used by thousands of seafront visitors each season - are in a poor state and local councillors have been campaigning for years for them to be upgraded.Clevedon Town Council amenity committee chairman Councillor Carl Francis Pester said: "These particular toilets are in a really sorry state and although some patch and repair work has been carried out, what they need is a major overhaul."I am concerned that with this money coming out of the budget it will have an impact on whether these toilets are upgraded or not."It is not just these loos which need attention as there are others in the town also in need of work."We encourage people to visit Clevedon each year and spend their money in the town."The least we can do is to give them some decent amenities."Clevedon has a number of public toilets including one at the seafront, one at Six Ways and one at Queens Square.There are also public loos in Portishead at Wydham Way and by the Windmill pub.North Somerset Council spokesman Richard Turner said: "The cuts in budget will not result in any toilets closing."The money will be used for basic repair and maintenance of all the district's lavatories"However, if there is serious vandalism to any public toilet, it is possible they may have to close if the money is not available for substantial repairs.