Teignmouth Town Council has been forced to close the temporary public toilets on the Den due to vandalism.

The vandals struck during the evening of Saturday April 13 and the damage was reported by a member of the public, according to a spokesperson from the Town Council. The Council hopes to reopen the facilities early this week.

The vandalism meant the temporary toilets were out of action for the first sunny weekend of the tourist season. Members of the public were directed to use alternative public conveniences on the other side of the town centre and the far ends of the promenade.

Runners from the town’s popular parkrun were also inconvenienced.

Temporary toilets were installed on Teignmouth Den 18 months ago after the permanent facilities were incorporated into the restaurant that replaced the former Beachcomber.

Work to build permanent toilets on the Den is scheduled to start next month on the site of the former aquarium.