A flush of civic pride was much in evidence as green-minded Ryedale District Council chiefs unveiled North Yorkshire's first wind-powered public loos.

Gary Hobbs, chairman of Ryedale District Council, cuts the tape to officially open the first wind-powered toilets in North Yorkshire. Picture: Nigel Holland

Council chairman Gary Hobbs was clearly chuffed to officially open the refurbished facilities at the Staxton Brow picnic site, about 15 miles east of Malton.

As if resigned to the fact that lavatorial humour would dominate media coverage of the event, Coun Hobbs cracked a joke about his chain of office to a TV crew.

The Evening Press was also privy to some interesting facts and figures about the environmentally-friendly public conveniences, which represent a wind of change in toilet technology.

As he sheltered from the gusty and wet weather outside the toilets, which stand 150 metres (nearly 500ft) above sea level, Coun Hobbs said: "Today is an excellent example of how wind power can operate at this site."

A 12-volt wind charger on top of a 6.5 metre (21ft) pole outside the loos now charges three batteries, which provide heating, warm water and lights for the facilities.

The wind charger cost only £2,000 to fit at the isolated site, which is not served by mains electricity, and Ryedale has the added benefit of no ongoing fuel bills.

Coun Hobbs said: "The council had a choice of putting in mains electricity, which would have cost a small fortune of about £12,000, or going for wind power - which was a clear winner."

The wind power equipment was installed at the same time as a £40,000 refurbishment of the 1970s toilet block at the picnic site - a popular stopping off point for tourists on summer days. Work to upgrade the conveniences was carried out over six weeks by the direct labour organisation of neighbouring Scarborough Borough Council. Coun Elizabeth Shields, who chairs Ryedale's environment, health and housing committee, said: "It really needed attention and, because it was such an important site, we felt we had to do something about it."

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