REPEATED vandalism at public toilets, including fires and smashed mirrors, is costing East Lothian Council thousands of pounds.

The public toilets at Gullane Bents were closed at the start of the month after becoming the latest facilities to be damaged.

Guttering was ripped from the front of the building, leaving it hanging above the entrance to the cubicles.

The toilets were then closed while repairs were carried out and police have been informed.

The closure is the latest in a spate of vandalisms carried out, which have seen toilets at Musselburgh, Tranent and elsewhere damaged.

READ MORE: Tranent: Charging suggested for public toilets to reduce vandalism

Tom Reid, the local authority’s head of infrastructure, highlighted the financial and staff cost of the damage.

He said: “We are one of a few local authority areas in Scotland who has not closed any public toilet facilities.

“In fact, over the past few years, we have invested in new toilets in coastal locations, including the ones at Gullane Bents which were damaged last weekend.

“In the short term, this type of damage means that the toilets are closed while we investigate and repair the damage, depriving the local community of this facility.

“However, in the longer term, it is not sustainable for us to be caught in a cycle of constantly repairing damaged facilities when council budgets are so stretched.

READ MORE: Musselburgh: Toilet closed after vandalism over weekend

“These repairs are costing thousands of pounds that could be invested to better use in communities.”

Last month, the gents’ toilets on Musselburgh’s Shorthope Street were closed due to repeated cases of fireraising on August 19 and 22.

Public toilets on Musselburgh's Shorthope Street have repeatedly been damaged (Image: East Lothian Council)

Earlier in the month, panels were ripped from the floor and a cubicle door removed from the gents’ toilets at Fisherrow Harbour.

Both the ladies’ and gents’ toilets on Shorthope Street were also closed in April after mirrors were smashed.

And earlier in the year in Tranent, the gents’ toilet block was closed for nearly a month after another case of fireraising.

READ MORE: Tranent is 'going to lose' its public toilets if vandalism continues

Mr Reid added: “Apart from our own facilities and maintenance teams’ resources, there are the wider implications on police responding to reports and investigating.

“We’re appealing to our local communities to report any behaviour that they witness, or to come forward if they have any information if they know who is responsible.

“We know that there has also been youth-related anti-social behaviour within some of these areas in the past few weeks, particularly at Fisherrow, and parents and carers have responsibility for making sure that they know where their children are and what they are doing.

“We will always take action when we have information on who is carrying out this mindless vandalism through police and our own anti-social behaviour policy.

“Any information can be passed in confidence to police through 101 or our own community protection team by calling 01875 824307 or email asb@eastlothian.gov.uk”