Protestors fighting the "inadequate provision" of public toilets in Thanet warn that people will be left with no choice but to squat down an alleyway or pee in the sea if improvements are not made.

They say with the clock tower toilets in Margate remaining shut - and no temporary loos in place - as well as poor provision across the district as a whole, businesses are being overwhelmed with families and visitors desperately needing to use their facilities.

A toilet-themed protest was held outside Thanet District Council offices today (Thursday), with campaigners calling for more investment in facilities ahead of the busy summer season.

Supporters signed a petition, which is approaching 1,700 signatures, calling for the council to stop shutting toilets.

Organiser Jodie Ellena-Lindley, from the Sun Deck, says they were so concerned about families having to use the beach to go to the toilet, they spent thousands on hiring two Portaloos for customers and beach goers.

"Apart from the Harbour Arm, the TS Eliot toilets are the only disabled facilities on the main sands," she said.

"Other beach-front business owners have also been overwhelmed by visitors asking to use their facilities, which has a detrimental impact on their day to day business.

"In the summer, 3,000 visitors a day venture to the beach. With no toilet facilities, would you be comfortable wading into the sea when there are no loos?"

The protest was organised by Mrs Ellena-Lindley, Cliftonville West Lib Dem candidate Darryn de La Soul, the Green Party, Labour Party and Women's Equality Parties.

Businesses GB Pizza, Fez, Two Halves, Barnacles and Peter’s Fish Factory have also thrown their weight behind the campaign.

Miss de la Soul said: “It’s actual insanity in my view.

"Public toilets are the most basic provision for public health and comfort. Margate is just getting on the map and visitors will not return if they struggle to find a loo near the beach.

"It is not fair to expect small businesses to pick up the slack."

A spokesman for the council says seasonal toilets have been open since early April, bringing the total number of public conveniences across the district to 27, up from 20 during the off season.

However Margate clock town facilities remain closed after a pre-season inspection found them unsafe for public use.

Trevor Kennett, head of operational services, said: “Until they can be made safe they will temporarily remain closed to the public.

“While the facilities are in a prime location on Margate Main Sands, and are well used by visitors to the town during the summer months, these aren’t the only toilets in Margate.

"The other sites remain open. Efforts are being made to secure temporary toilets to ensure that there are additional facilities in this area while the clock tower toilets are out of action. ”