RESIDENTS will be relieved after the new block of public toilets in Evesham was finally completed.

The new block, built over the previous one at Waterside, is designed to be more water and energy efficient.

Rainwater harvesting tanks will supply the toilets and urinals and combined energy efficient taps and dryers have also been installed.

Solar panels will power the block during the day while the soon to be fitted battery storage system will be charged overnight, helping to cut the building’s carbon footprint and running costs.

The ventilation system and LED lights work on motion sensors so will only operate when the toilets are being used, also helping to cut energy use. Two bat boxes and 18 bug and bee hotels have been added to the block to support biodiversity.

READ MORE: Further delays to Evesham's Waterside toilet blocks

There is also a new Changing Places toilet which will cater for the needs of people with various disabilities.

As an added feature, the back of the toilet block has also been decorated with a piece of public art, specially produced by Pershore blacksmith Steve Cooper.

The copper whale is a link to the famous whalebone jaws that stood in Workman Gardens for over a century after being donated to the town.

Cllr Emma Stokes, executive board member for resident and customer services, on Wychavon District Council, said: "We are delighted to finally be able to open the new and improved Waterside toilets.

"It’s taken a lot longer than we wanted to complete the building work, for various reasons, but it was well worth the wait.

"What we have now is a high-quality, modern, energy-efficient building that sits proudly alongside our other public toilets and I’m sure will be winning awards when the Loo of the Year judges next come to town."

"It’s been wonderful to see the positive reaction from the public to the new Waterside toilets and that’s why we continue to invest in our loos, because we know how much our residents and visitors value them."