Renewed calls have been made to carry out work at public toilets in North Berwick, which have been described as “shocking” by a local resident.

The issue was first raised by Robin Black, skipper of the Sula II, who told the Courier last summer he was “ashamed to tell people where they are” because of their poor condition.

And seven months on, nothing has been done to improve the condition of the toilets, says Mr Black.

He said: “In spite of assurances from the council last year that something would be done about the state of the harbour toilets at North Berwick, there has been no change.

“Easter is nearly here and the paint is still peeling, the floor is in a poor state and the urinal is disgusting.

“When these toilets are in such a shocking state, there is no point in the council boasting about the award-winning ones up the road [on Quality Street].” Mr Black said last summer that the council would be better off closing down the toilets, rather than continuing to run them in their current state.

His renewed calls for improvements work to be carried out came as the issue was discussed at this month’s meeting of the town’s community council.

There, community councillor Bill Macnair expressed his own concerns over the state of the toilets.

He told the meeting: “The toilets at the harbour are in a disgusting state – and they stink.

“It’s coming up to summer again and it’s about time that something was done about them.” Last summer, ward councillor Jim Goodfellow said the local authority was looking into carrying out repairs, but it would depend on finances.

He said: “Historically [the toilets] have not been very great and steps are being taken to look at having them refurbished.” A council spokesperson said: “In the current financial climate, the council is unable to carry out a full refurbishment of the North Berwick Harbour toilets but is committed to an ongoing maintenance programme to keep the facilities in reasonable order, clean and serviceable.

“We are, in fact, meeting this week to look at how we can carry out a modest refreshment of the harbour toilets.

“I would like to remind people that these are not the only public toilets in North Berwick and that there are very good facilities within 0.2 miles walk of those at the harbour.”