TWO PUBLIC toilet blocks in Abergavenny and Gilwern look set to be saved from closure.

Under proposals Llanelly Community Council intends to adopt the toilets on Main Road, Gilwern, while Abergavenny Town Council has offered to contribute towards the running costs and refurbishment of Whitehorse Lane in the town centre.

The facilities are among 14 council-owned loos that the council has decided to stop maintaining from April.

Monmouthshire council asked local town and community council’s to consider adopting the toilets and offered each council a £1,200 grant towards running costs.

The controversial decision led to a 2,000-named petition in Gilwern to save the village’s only toilets, which cost £5,500 a year to run.

Chairman of Llanelly Community Council Simon Howarth, said there was overwhelming support for the toilets to be retained from residents and tourists.

"Once the transfer has taken place we hope to take over in April," said Cllr Howarth.

Abergavenny Town Council is proposing to contribute £9,000 towards the annual running cost of the Whitehorse Lane toilets and up to £30,000 towards refurbishment.

The Castle Street facility would close but the disabled toilet would remain.

Mayor Norma Watkins said a counter system revealed Whitehorse Lane has 5,500 users per week, and around 1,500 in Castle Street.

"We have proved the need to retain Whitehorse Lane as it’s the most-used in Abergavenny," said Cllr Watkins.

Under the proposals the Bus Station toilets in Abergavenny would remain and the Bailey Park toilets. which are only open during events, would close.

The council currently spends £330,194 per year on toilets, which includes water and electric costs.

Of this £170,000 is spent on cleaning toilets. The £184,556 in savings would be used to upgrade the remaining facilities. Any toilets not adopted by April 1, 2011 will be closed.

Monmouthshire county council is expected to make a decision on the proposal next week.