WOMEN in York could be getting a better deal than men when it comes to public conveniences.

A comparison of toilets in the city by the Evening Press shows that facilities and standards are generally better in women's loos, with men often forced to do without toilet roll, hand towels and soap.

Two of the city's toilets - Coppergate and Parliament Street - are staffed, but only in the female section.

This is set to change when a new, purpose-built toilet block opens up in Union Terrace car park later this year.

Both sides of the block will be staffed for 12 hours a day and, if successful, it could be used as a model for other facilities in the city.

A council spokesman said that cleaning was either carried out by the two attendants or by a mobile cleaning team, and each facility was visited four times a day.

The survey was done yesterday after the busy Easter weekend, when staffing problems affected the usual cleaning routine carried out by contractors.

Coppergate toilets

Women's - Strong smell of disinfectant, freshly-mopped floor, attendant in the process of cleaning up.

One toilet out of order because of problems with the door lock, hand towels not working and dim lighting. 10p fee. 3.5 out of 5

Men's - Strong smell of urine, one toilet blocked and a toilet roll dispenser burnt out. No facilities to dry your hands. No fee.

3 out of 5

St George's Field

Women's - Strong smell of urine, one toilet blocked, smashed skylight, unpleasant metal toilets. No fee. 2 out of 5

Men's - Two cubicles and toilets were clean, bright, not a bad smell. 4 out of 5

Nunnery Lane

Women's - Bright, smelled clean. No toilet paper, one toilet roll holder broken and on the floor. No hand towels and one sink did not work. No fee. 3 out of 5

Men's - Quite smelly, burnt out toilet roll dispenser, urinal blocked, tiles missing, no soap or hand towels. 2 out of 5

Museum Gardens

Women's - Dark, smelled strongly of urine. Bins were overflowing with hand towels, one toilet blocked with a mountain of paper and sanitary bin overflowing. The other toilets looked clean.

2 out of 5

Men's - Light did not work, smelly, no towels. 2 out of 5

Outside were piles of rubbish, two visible syringes, dozens of syringe packets, broken needle disposal containers. The chemical toilet was open and reeked of urine. All this was close to a well-used public path to the river.

Exhibition Square (Bootham Bar)

Women's - Bright, quite clean and smelled fresh. All facilities seemed to work but toilet seats looked stained. 4 out of 5

Men's - Overwhelming smell of urine. One toilet was blocked with waste. Experience not to be repeated.

1 out of 5

Parliament Street

Women's - Bright, clean, smelled fresh. Attendant on duty. 10p fee.

4.5 out of 5

Men's - No discernible smell, UV lighting to deter drug users, clean, and would use again. No fee.

4 out of 5

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, April 03, 2002