THE wheels have been set in motion on Conservative plans to re-open public toilets in Malvern and Upton.

Malvern Hills District Council's executive committee will discuss re-opening toilets in Edith Walk, Malvern, and High Street, Upton, when it meets on Tuesday, May 22.

The toilets, along with those in Market Street, Tenbury, were closed under by the then Liberal Democrat controlled council in spring 2006.

A report submitted ahead of the meeting states that remedial work and redecoration will be required before any of the toilets are fit for re-opening.

Other public conveniences in the area have since been improved, and the report also states that bringing the three toilets up to that level would incur additional costs.

Council leader Serena Croad said they had wanted to be able to re-open the toilets at the meeting.

"In an ideal world we would have liked more than a report, but there is some work that needs to be done," she said. "We have to take down the boards and see what condition they are in.

"The Edith Walk toilets are believed to be okay, but there is some speculation about the state of the Upton toilets, which were not in a good state when they were closed."

Coun Croad added MHDC would fund portable facilities during festivals in Upton until the toilets were re-opened.

Condition surveys of the toilets will take place shortly, and officers are expected to present detailed re-opening proposals when the executive committee meets on Tuesday, June 19.