TOURISTS in a picturesque Ribble Valley village are being invited to try out East Lancashire's first eco-friendly public toilets.

The £100,000 loos at Slaidburn car park are so environmentally thoughtful they even have reclaimed stone from old buildings in Oswaldtwistle.

Ribble Valley Council set about upgrading the toilets to cope with an increasing number of tourists.

But residents were keen for the new building to blend in with its surroundings, and also help keep the area's picturesque views.

The green' toilets have energy-saving lights, sensory taps on all sinks, and sensory flush facilities on toilets and urinals to cut water costs.

The stone was supplied by Connolly Demolition Ltd, Oswaldtwistle, which collects stones from demolished buildings to sell on for recycling projects.

Dunsop Bridge is set to be next to receive the toilet makeover as another of Ribble Valley's popular spots for walkers, cyclists and coach trips.

Principle surveyor at the council Rod Pearce said: "The site needed upgrading as there was so much increased use. The environment is a top issue for the council and, as we needed to upgrade them, we decided to make them eco-friendly.

"They are not the first, but they are certainly the first to be quite so environmentally friendly with the reclaimed stone. They are also most definitely the most attractive toilets in East Lancashire, if toilets can possibly be, as they blend in so well with the beautiful surroundings.

"The lights are energy saving and the toilets and taps are water saving and also more hygienic, with no need to touch them. The stone is recycled. The outside tap is a slow release and it goes off so water cannot be wasted."

Ribble Valley Mayor, Coun Peter Ainsworth, said: "The new Slaidburn loos encompass the very latest in washroom technology. You could say we are flushed with pride at them!"