VOLUNTEERS who run the public toilets in their village are counting the cost after they were damaged by vandals.

The Erwood Pit Stop Trust was only formed in December 2015 after a group of of villagers came together to take responsibility for the toilets which would have been closed by Powys County Council.

The wash basin from the gent’s toilets was ripped out and a reinforced window smashed in the early hours of Sunday, February 7.

Alan Pryce, the chairman of the trust, said: "It is upsetting for everybody involved in trying to get the toilets up and running and save them from closure. To have this happen is a body blow and an unnecessary expense.

"We have been lucky we’ve had bits and pieces donated but we will have to pay for a plumber and hopefully the work will be done this week."

Mr Pryce said the trust receives a grant from Powys County Council towards the cost of maintaining the toilets but as a new organisation is aiming to build up its funds.

"We have money that can stand this damage but it’s expense we could have done without and we were hoping to decorate and refurbish the toilets. "We’re all volunteers and that money could have gone towards paint and other materials."

Mr Pryce said Dyfed Powys Police have inspected the damage and have carried out inquiries in the village and said there had been a disturbance in the village at around 3am on the Sunday morning.

Karen Lavine-Parry, one of the trustees, said local builder Carl Williams has donated a new wash basin to the trust but it will still have to pay for new glass for the window.

"Someone in there must have been quite strong to pick up the wash basin off the wall and through it through the toughened glass window."

Ms Lavine-Parry said she had been told the smashed window had never previously been replaced and she estimated it could cost as much as £250 to £300 to replace.

"I’m told the glass, which is the type that’s reinforced with wire, has never been replaced and has been there 60 years. Someone in the village said it’s been there as long as people can remember."

She added the trustees are keen to keep costs down as Powys council had estimated maintaining the toilets cost it £10,000 a year.

"We want to watch all the pennies as we’ve got to make sure we keep the toilets open," said Ms Lavine-Parry.

"The police did suggest we should perhaps consider closing the toilets late at night but that defeats the object if someone is travelling late at night and needs the toilets."

She added people using the toilets have already made positive comments since the trust took responsibility for them: "A number of people have commented about how pleasant the toilets are and they look like they’ve been given a bit more of a polish."