ALL public toilets in Falmouth, including the beaches, are to remain open during the national lockdown, town councillors were told on Monday.

The toilets at Prince of Wales Pier, Grove Place and Kimberley Park and all the beaches will remain open and be available seven days a week during winter opening hours between 9am and 5pm.

In his report to the council, town clerk Mark Williams said: "As there is nothing within the Covid restrictions to cause closure, it will be for each local council to decide whether it wishes to leave them open or close them. We will keep them open on our winter operating hours with an additional disinfecting cost of £80 per day."

He told the Packet that they had had real problems with social distancing in the facilities last time and they would be keeping on eye on them to make sure their use wasn't being abused.

Commenting on the news councillor Alan Jewell said: "We have got to keep the toilets open. Queen Mary Gardens was heavily soiled during the last lockdown."

Mr Williams said their use will be kept under review and that the town council had provided an enhanced cleansing regime and people are reminded of the social distancing and hand cleaning requirements. The toilets will be cleaned daily using a "fogging machine" which completely disinfects the sites.

The government announced a national lockdown at the weekend which starts from two minutes past midnight on Thursday morning and is expected to last until December 2 when it will come under review.