Dereham's public toilets could finally undergo a much-needed refurbishment when the sale of a strip of land on a nearby open space goes through.

The town council had budgeted �120,000 to improve the Barwells Court toilets, off the Market Place, but the plans were held up by delays selling part of Fleece Meadow for a block of 14 flats.

The proposals would improve the entrance area, discourage anti-social behaviour and make the facilities easier to maintain and clean.

Town councillor Robert Hambidge told last night's annual parish meeting: 'It's been a lot slower than envisaged. We hope it will go through in two or three months. Once we have got funds in from that we can press the green light on the refurbishment.'

Town clerk Tony Needham said once the council received the money they will go out to tender, and he hoped the work would be completed within a year.

Mr Hambidge also called on Dereham businesses to stump up money to help pay for the town's Christmas lights.

He said: 'I think businesses that make the most of trading in Dereham should contribute. A letter will go out next week to see if they could contribute to the Christmas lights.'

Councillor Linda Monument said the council hoped to sign a booking agent to provide acts at the newly-refurbished Memorial Hall, but progress was difficult because the town wanted to keep a big say in which acts were booked.