A COUNCIL has been left with a �2,000 bill after thieves raided public toilets on Clacton seafront and took off with a haul of copper piping.

The Westcliff men’s toilets were totally flooded as the piping was ripped away from the walls. Sinks, a water heater and doors were also smashed in the raid.

Tendring District Council (TDC) will be replacing all the pipe work with plastic piping to try and deter thieves in the future.

Nick Turner, TDC’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “We offer these facilities for our residents and visitors along the seafront and they are for the benefit of all.

“This type of incident takes money out of the public purse and diverts it away from our normal schedule of improvements and maintenance.”

The incident took place on Wednesday evening and the Council is asking anyone who saw anything or has any information about who may be responsible to either contact the Council or the police.

Damage was also caused to the Pier Gap toilets on the same night with a sink smashed.

Mr Turner added; “We will not hesitate in helping to make sure that the culprits go before the courts if we have the evidence to do so.”

The Westcliff toilets are already closed for the winter and are not due to reopen until March.