SUPPORT is growing for  the Echo’s Save Our Toilets campaign  which was  launched yesterday.

Residents, workers  and visitors have given  their resounding  support  to calls for Exeter City  Council to rethink its  plans to close 10 of the  city’s 26 toilets.

A decision could be  made as early as next  Tuesday when members  of the council’s executive  committee discuss the  proposal, which would  save £60,000 of the £1m it  needs to shed from its  budget.

Up for closure are the  10 most popular and  well-used toilets in the  city, which include those  in Blackboy Road, near  Exeter City’s ground,  which were rebuilt at a  cost of more than  £100,000 in  2004.

Others which could  close are in Buddle Lane,  Okehampton  Street  and  Cowick Lane in St  Thomas; Ennerdale Way  in Exwick;  Hamlin Lane  and Higher Cemetery in  Heavitree; and King   William Street, Musgrave Row and Guinea  Street in the city  centre.

Ahead of the meeting,  we are enlisting support  from the public who have  been filling coupons to offer their backing for the  campaign, which will be  presented to councillors.

Among those to sign  up  yesterday was Anna  Squire, 26, who regularly  comes into the city centre with her two-year-old  child. She said: “This  will affect everyone with  children.

 “When they want to go,  they want to go, especially if they are not in  nappies. We need baby-changing facilities  nearby.”

Eric Crowe, 80, of  Broadclyst, said: “Public  loos are vital, especially  for the elderly. The first  thing a lot of visitors do  when they visit the city  and arrive by bus is try  to find a toilet.”

Eric Webster, 64, of St  Leonard’s, said: “What  they are going to save is  out of context with what  they are doing. They  would be better spending  money on toilets than  street art.  Once you get  old you need the toilets a  lot more and it is a vital  service.” His wife Jean,  63, agreed and said: “I  totally back the campaign. I don’t think the  cafes and restaurants  would like it if people  kept popping in to use  their facilities.”

Brian Middle, 79, of Exmouth, said: “I don’t  think there are enough of  them in Exeter as it is.  They should think about  adding more instead of  taking them away. If I  needed to go around here  I would  have to go up  three flights of stairs in  Marks & Spencer.”

Robert Hooper, 83,  said: “It is an absolute  disgrace what the council is proposing to do.

 “It is not going to save  much money but it will  be taking away a vital  public service.”

Comments of support  have also appeared via  our website including  one from Val of Exeter.

She said: “I am unfortunate enough to have  Crohn’s disease and need  to know there is always a  toilet nearby.  If there are  going to be closures it  will mean I won’t even be  able to come in to shop.”