A TRIAL of open-air toilets intended to stop late-night revellers urinating in Maidstone's streets at weekends is to be extended until a permanent urinal is built.

The scheme has been hailed a success by Maidstone council which will continue to provide two sets of urinals in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights.

The council's cabinet member for health and the environment, Cllr Roger Berriman (Lab), believes a permanent toilet building could be in place by the end of next year. He said: "The usage of the toilets has been outstanding. The usage of them has gone up every week and that has proven they are worth having."

The toilets are put in position outside the Town Hall and near the cannon in the High Street at 7pm every Friday and Saturday night.

Cllr Berriman said plans for a permanent toilet would go out to public consultation before being considered by the council.