DISGUSTED residents have branded the state of a public toilet in Harwich as “Dickensian” and are appealing for it to be renovated.

Terry Howlett, of Kreswell Grove, Dovercourt, has long lamented the state of the toilets, at The Quay, Harwich.

He is calling on Tendring Council to refurbish the facility.

“They are dark and smelly and I am reliab ly informed that the ladies are the same,” said Mr Howlett.

“In such a high profile position, the town welcomes foreign visitors to toilets that are almost Dickensian.

“The urinals are a long trough and although we understand they are cleaned regularly they are just dirty looking.

“This is not the image we should be projecting.”

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council communications manager, said the council is well aware of the importance of this site to both residents and visitors.

“The council is currently under taking a review of its public toilets and we can assure people in Harwich that the upgrade of facilities on the Quay are one of our top priorities as part of that review,” he said.

“We are currently waiting for an architect’s design and prices for this particular site and it is our aim to include facilities for those with disabilities as part of the makeover.”