Croxley Green pub joins community toilet scheme to offer free facilities

The Harvester pub in Watford Road, Croxley Green, has also joined the scheme, plus public toilets are also available at the district council's Three Rivers House, in Northway, Rickmansworth, and next to the Cafe in the Park, at Rickmansworth Aquadrome, in Frogmoor Lane.

Kate McHale, 48, manager of the Fox and Hounds, said: "The pilot was very successful and we are pleased to permanently provide this service for the community, as there are not many public toilets in the area and not all pubs have disabled facilities.

"If anyone wanted to use the toilets here we would let them, just out of common decency. We have all been caught short before."

Mark Lancaster, manager of The Harvester in Croxley Green, "Our doors have always been open and I'm more than happy for local people in the village to use the toilets when they need to.

"We're happy to work with the council and support the village in this small way. And if people pop in to use the facilities and stay for a bite to eat or a drink afterwards, then all the better for us."

The scheme, which costs less than £4,000 per year, follows the phasing out of the unpopular Automatic Public Convenience units, which cost around £37,000 in 2007.

The district council will also save money on repairing vandalism, as scheme venues are staffed constantly during open hours.

Organisations interested in joining the scheme can call the council on 01923 727 255.