Public toilets in Letchworth have been closed due to damage caused by vandals on Bonfire Night.

The vandalism is thought to have taken place at Howard Park on the evening of November 5, and the facilities – which are used by around 5,000 people each month – remain closed at present.

Once reopened, the toilets will be closed earlier than usual each day – a temporary measure by North Herts District Council to prevent further incidents of vandalism.

Council leader Lynda Needham said: “It is a great shame that we are being forced to close the toilets in the park earlier than normal each day due to vandalism. There is no excuse for this kind of selfish behaviour and this sadly has significant impacts on the users of the park including the elderly and parents with young children”.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call police on non-emergency number 101.