Pubs, sports centres and council offices are just some of the venues in Three Rivers opening up their toilets to the public under a new scheme.

Three Rivers District Council has closed the old automatic public conveniences and has invited businesses and premises to allow members of the public to use their toilet for free.

The community toilet scheme will see any participating venue receive £600 a year to help maintain the facilities. It is estimated the move will save the council more than £30,000 a year.

The Royal Oak in Abbots Langley, Budgens supermarket in Chorleywood and Three Rivers House in Rickmansworth are some of the venues that have already signed up.

Councillor Phil Brading, portfolio holder for public services and health, said: “The community toilet scheme is an initiative we have wanted to pursue in Three Rivers for some time as the traditional way of providing toilets has not been successful.

“The automatic toilets suffered from vandalism, were unpopular and were very expensive to repair and maintain.

“We can now provide toilets at minimum costs. The scheme is also environmentally friendly as we are not using resources to produce additional buildings, heating or water.”

So far the scheme has proved successful, with no problems being reported to the council.

Councillor Brading added: “Residents and visitors can pop into these venues without feeling they need to purchase something to go to the toilet.

“The public will now have access to a toilet for greater lengths of time as many of these businesses are open for much longer than the old public conveniences.”

Other venues in the scheme are; the Centre leisure facility in South Oxhey, the Harvester in Croxley Green and the YMCA in Leavesden Country Park.