RATS, syringes and a dreadful stink greeted Evening Press reporters when they revisited the toilets in York's Museum Gardens.

Reporters took another trip to the facilities, which are closed until the end of the month, early yesterday morning.

On Friday, the Press reported how the toilets resembled a stench-ridden dumping ground, littered with syringe wrappers, underwear and dirty clothes.

On Sunday, it was clear that efforts had been made to clean up much of the litter which blighted the toilets.

But evidence of drugs use was still prevalent, with syringes discovered only yards from the busy gardens.

We also chased away a number of rats which appeared to be using the toilet grounds as a home. A stench of urine was prevalent.

But elsewhere, the toilets at the Coppergate Centre were freshly clean and tidy - both men's and women's facilities, though the dirt ground into the floor underneath the sinks in the women's toilets remained an eyesore.

The men's toilets in Parliament Street were greatly improved, but today the women's had an empty soap dispenser, a smoky smell and a sink covered in hair.

A spokesman from City of York Council said today: "We have never had any reports of rats in the Museum Gardens toilets, but if we do we will bait where necessary, not just the toilets, but general places. Clearly, this is a river bank and it is not unusual to see rats on a river bank. If people are concerned, they should contact the council."

Updated: 11:06 Monday, March 10, 2003