FEARS that closing Arran’s public toilets could harm the island’s tourism has sparked a petition among locals and holiday makers.

North Ayrshire Council announced at a meeting in March that they planned to close all 11 public loos on the island next year.

In response, a group of visitors and locals have set up a petition, Stop the Closure of Isle of Arran Public Toilets, which has almost reached its target of 1,000 signatures.

Hilary Paton, a regular visitor to Arran with family ties on the island, helped set up the petition.

The mum of two, who owns a holiday home on Arran, told the Herald: “My husband was born in Lamlash so I’ve been coming to the island for years.

“I’ve got two young children and when you’re out and about, it’s a public convenience to have a toilet.

“Children need to use the toilet all the time, especially if you’re out all day.

“People will end up using the bushes because there are no conveniences.

“It’s bad enough having to clean up after a dog, never mind having to clean up after your kids, or even yourself.

“The council are saying that people can use toilets in alternative locations, such as restaurants and shops.

“But you’re talking about an island that’s about 90 per cent reliant on tourism.

“The fact we’ve got walkers, swimmers, canoeists, hillwalkers – all sorts of visitors – coming to this beautiful island, the economy would suffer if these toilets closed.

“Without these facilities, people, especially families who have young children, would be less inclined to visit regularly.

“Local people are doing great work and trying everything possible to stop this closure and they have managed to extend it for a year.

“We want to make people aware of this, get the petition shared as much as possible, then maybe the council will take notice.”

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “This decision was confirmed at our budget meeting earlier this year in light of a need to balance reducing resources with an increased demand for services.

“A working group consisting of officers from the council and members of the island’s community council are considering how best to identify what public toilets can continue to be operated by the community.

“The working group are considering the current condition of the existing toilets.

“They will be meeting in the near future to see what support the council can offer to assist in developing this further.”

You can sign the petition here.