PUBLIC toilets on Southwold seafront have been closed until Easter for a �15,000 revamp.

The two-week scheme to improve on the block at Kilcock Cliff – seen as vital to the town's tourism trade – will see its ladies toilets refurbished, its leaking roof repaired and the fabric of the building enhanced.

Work was getting under way this week with a view the blocks reopening in time for the holiday season. The second part of the renovation, involving a �10,000 modernisation the men's toilets, will take place next year.

Southwold Town Council has funded the project using money taken from the profits of the town's putting green.

The mayor of Southwold, John Windell, welcome dthe work. He said: 'Whenever you go on holiday you always judge the place by its toilets. 'We need to move Southwold into the 21st century because people's expectations are greater than they used to be and we all want better services in the area.'

In the past, the toilets were owned by Waveney District Council. However, there was anger when it earmarked them for closure in 2009. Since then, the town council has run them, deeming them a necessity for the holiday trade.

Mr Windell said using the putting green income was seen as the best funding option. He added: 'Its difficult to justify precepting the town for the toilets. It just is not right to charge the public for something they don't really use. That is why we took the decision to use the profits from the putting green which were made from tourists.'

People in Southwold are being urged to attend the first public meeting on the Town Plan on Monday. The plan designed to map out how Southwold will develop in the future, and the views of locals are being sought.

Mr Windell said: 'The public meeting is an exciting step in the right direction, giving people the chance to share their views. But it is not just a Town Plan; it's an action plan that will provide the basis for how we progress in the future.'

The meeting held at 7pm in St Edmund's Hall.