A recent spate of vandalism after thugs targeted public toilets across the district has been branded appalling and upsetting.

Louts attacked the Changing Places facility at Whitstable Harbour and the disabled toilets at Memorial Park, Herne Bay over the weekend.

Repairs to facilities will put the toilets out of commission for weeks and could wind up costing tax-payers thousands of pounds, Canterbury City Council has warned.

Labour councillor for Gorrell ward Val Kenny said she was "appalled" to hear about the vandalism but argued the situation wasn't as simple as it appeared.

"I'm appalled at any vandalism, it's just dreadful and people shouldn't behave like this," said Cllr Kenny.

"We've had meetings with the police to look at the situation of anti-social behaviour in the area because we are very concerned.

"But the underlying question is what on earth do people expect if you strip back so many services? We have to look deeper into the issue.

"Regardless though, there is no excuse for gross vandalism and we need Whitstable to be a good place for residents to live and tourists to visit."

At the Changing Places toilet, which was hit on Sunday, the bed and hoist have both been damaged to the extent it is now unusable

Meanwhile, the Memorial Park attack on Monday saw the door and doorframe of the disabled toilet smashed beyond repair.

A spokesman for the council apologised for the inconvenience caused, saying: "It’s upsetting for us to report further vandalism in recent days to disabled toilet facilities in the district.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience the closure of these toilets may cause and share the frustration of residents and visitors that they will not be available for use.

"We will endeavour to get the repairs completed as soon as is practically possible."

When asked about the impact of the damage to specialist facilities at Whitstable Harbour, the council confirmed the repairs were likely to rack up a large bill.

"Arranging replacement parts and repairs is less straightforward, which means this important facility could be closed for around a fortnight and the work could run into thousands of pounds" said the spokesman.

The update comes just days after another public loo had to close after yobs scrawled racist graffiti on the walls on the disabled toilets at Whitstable Cemetery.

Vandals daubed highly offensive messages in the toilet block as well as burning parts of the sink and wall.

Talking to KentOnline at the time, deputy director of people at Canterbury City Council Marie Royle branded the thugs as "inconsiderate and selfish".

She said: "It is really disappointing to discover Whitstable Cemetery’s disabled toilets in this state thanks to inconsiderate and selfish vandals.

"That’s inconvenient to cemetery users who are there to remember people they cherished and expensive for council taxpayers who have to foot the bill.

"That money could be used for investing in services rather than having to spend it on putting this right."

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call the Kent Police appeal line on 01843 222289 quoting crime reference DP-13832-23-4646-01 for the harbour Changing Places toilet and crime reference DP-13843-23-4646-01 for the Memorial Park.