A SEASIDE resort's bid to keep a public toilet block open has received a boost after it emerged the building was poised to handed back to the town council.

A SEASIDE resort's bid to keep a public toilet block open has received a boost after it emerged the building was poised to handed back to the town council.

The well-used toilets at Kilcock Cliff, in Southwold, are under the control of Waveney District Council, which decided to close them before the holiday season last year.

Southwold Town Council paid about �4,000 to keep the toilets open from July to October and it is expected that Waveney will hand control of the toilets back to the town on April 1, along with the Klondyke play area, the marshes and the putting green.

Southwold mayor Sue Doy said the transfer of assets was a boost to the popular resort and keeping the toilets open was important for tourism.

'Last year we took them on and it was a great success, so hopefully if we do take them back that will benefit our visitors and all the people who use the beach and all our beach hut owners,' she said.

Mrs Doy said the town council was looking into how the cost of the toilets would be met and they wanted to avoid adding a tax precept.

A spokesman for Waveney District Council said the toilet would cost about �10,000 a year to run.

The Klondyke play area, opposite the pier, has already been rejuvenated and boasts a small skate park and picnic area. Mrs Doy said they were hoping to install an outdoor gym for elderly people.

'I'm very pleased with how it's being used. Councillor Windell did a lovely job and got the children involved to clear it up,' she said. 'It has been a community effort.'

A spokesman for Waveney District Council said: 'Waveney District Council intends to transfer the following assets back to Southwold Town Council: the town marshes it currently manages under lease, the toilets at Kilcock Cliff, the Klondyke play area and the putting green.

'It is hoped that this will completed by April 1, 2010.'