A TOP Oxfordshire tourist attraction has been criticised by a visitor - because it had the worst public toilets she has ever been in.

Margaret Barclay was so disgusted by the ladies' loo at High Street, Burford, she complained not just to West Oxfordshire District Council but to us.

She found a toilet seat ripped off and left on the floor, excrement covering the back seat and a bowl jammed with paper.

She added that cubicles had no toilet paper, locks were broken, wall tiles missing and there was "a sickening stench throughout."

Mrs Barclay, of Maidstone, Kent, was visiting the town - a favourite stop for tourists from America, Japan and Europe - several weeks ago.

She said: "I was shocked to find that they were in the most disgusting and filthy condition that I have ever encountered in this country or abroad.

"I'm dismayed to imagine what impressions this gives visitors coming to this beautiful area and this otherwise lovely town. At the least, there is a public health and safety hazard."

She checked the toilets the next day but found them exactly the same.

Mrs Barclay is not the only person angry about the loos - staff at the town's Visitor Information Centre have received frequent complaints.

But her fury has had an immediate effect. The toilets have been cleaned and the contractors employed by the district council "read the Riot Act", according to David Harvey, the cabinet member for the environment.

Mr Harvey said the council would work with police to try and catch the vandals.