NEWPORT and Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC) has opened new public toilets in Newport's Post Office Lane at the culmination of a five-year plan.

In 2016, NCCC took over all public toilets in Newport and Carisbrooke when the IW Council ceased to run them.

Post Office Lane was quickly identified as being the toilets in most need of upgrading, given the general condition and having the highest footfall of all the locations.

Rather than refurbish, a new building was deemed to be more appropriate to provide clean and modern facilities.

Isle of Wight County Press: The toilets before renovation beganThe toilets before renovation began

Users will pay 40 pence, which can be by coins or contactless payment.

The scheme cost £190,000, of which £160,000 is financed by a Public Works Loan over 10 years.

Isle of Wight County Press: Cllr Julie Jones-Evans outside the new toiletsCllr Julie Jones-Evans outside the new toilets

The lifespan of the toilets is estimated at 40-50 years, as the modular design means individual components can be replaced when needed.

The renovation includes new landscaping, planting and a green roof planted with sedum to create an area to encourage wildlife.

Isle of Wight County Press: The Sedum roof, which is hoped will attract wildlife to the area.The Sedum roof, which is hoped will attract wildlife to the area.

Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, chair of NCCC and member for Newport Central, said: "When we took over the public toilets in Newport and Carisbrooke it was immediately clear the condition of the Post Office Lane facilities meant they would need replacing.

"It's taken a while and significant investment, but the result is such a marked change. Instead of being an embarrassment these new toilets are something to be proud of and more in keeping with our status as the county town."