PEOPLE will have to pay to use Worcester City Council's public toilets under a series of planned cutbacks.

The authority wants to replace its seven sets of free conveniences with "superloos" to help save £800,000.

No fee has yet been set, although "spending a penny" at the council's only existing paid-for toilet, in Copenhagen Street costs 10p.

The council believes the superloos, officially called automated public conveniences, would save £75,000 and give people 24-hour access to WCs.

They will look at where to put them before a complete switch by the end of 2006 if the whole council agrees the budget next year.

Deputy council leader Coun Simon Geraghty said he did not expect a backlash from the public over the new loos.

"The situation in many other major urban areas they are in is that it increases standards and availability," he said.

There are seven sets of council-run free public toilets, in Angel Place, Cornmarket, Quay Street, Bull Ring, Grandstand Road, Barbourne Lane and the Droitwich Road park-and-ride site.

CITY folk have not welcomed the toilet proposals.

David Harper, who runs the fruit and veg stall in Angel Place market, said news that the city council was set to start charging to use the public toilets opposite his pitch did not surprise him.

"What do we pay our rates for?" he said.

"The toilet is a public convenience and should be free."

He added he and other traders used the toilets several times a day along with hundreds of shoppers.

"Public toilets are the most important thing in a city centre for visitors - and especially for us.

"I can't believe this city council. There are charges going up everywhere."

Charline Shearer, a teacher from Rainbow Hill, said she uses the public toilet each time she is in the city.

"I think it's disgusting that the council tax keeps going up but the services are getting worse," she said.

"But if this is going to happen then they'd better make sure the money is used to make the toilets more pleasant."