A public loo that runs on wind power? Surely a piece of toilet humour straight out of a Carry On film.

But green technology could soon be used to help il-loo-minate a remote Ryedale public lavatory situated far from mains electricity - and the district council believes it is far from just being a splash in the pan.

Ryedale District Council has got wind of the fact that the public conveniences at the Staxton Brow picnic area, near Scarborough, are the most in need of refurbishment in the whole district.

Without electricity, they have no hot water, lighting or heating.

But the future may be both bright and breezy, as the council favours looking at solar power and wind power as alternatives to connecting this cut-off khazi to the mains, making it the county's first self-powering public convenience.

John Byford, the council's head of environmental services, said: "It's quite a way from any source of electricity, which has led us to investigate the possibility of solar power or a small wind generator, but obviously we'll have to cost it."

Mr Byford said: "Even if there was no cost difference between that and connecting it to the mains, this is a good opportunity to do something different."

The cost of refurbishing the loos has been estimated at £20,000 plus architect's fees. This will include providing WC cubicles for the gents, plus baby changing facilities.

The council is still flushed with its recent success at installing solar-powered ticket machines in all of Ryedale's pay-and-display car parks.

Mr Byford also said that they had even considered converting council headquarters Ryedale House to solar power in the past.

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