A WAR of words broke out between Marlborough town councillors on Monday over the new flooring that has been chosen for the George Lane public toilets.

The refurbishment work on the toilets is starting on March 1, 10 days after the original agreed start date, after the town council secured a £92,000 loan from the National Loans Fund.

Despite this progress on the toilets, which should be open in mid April, a fierce debate sprung up at Monday's property committee meeting over new flooring for the three cubicles.

On the advice of the project manager and the contractor, black slate-like tiles were going to be used but councillor Marian Hannaford-Dobson vehemently objected to this choice.

"The flooring is absolutely horrendous. I am not happy at all with that design, it is a rubbish tile. I suggest we get another contractor," she said.

Coun Mervyn Hall and chairman of the committee Guy Loosmore said her idea to start over was a ridiculous idea and would set them back months.

Coun Hannaford Dobson and Margaret Rose voted against going ahead with this but they lost by a large majority.

The refurbishment includes installing three direct access toilets, including a disabled one, and renovating the adjoining room. The toilets will also be vandal-proof, disabled friendly and will have a 20p charge.