The battle to keep Fairlie toilets seems to have been lost, after the council cut off electricity and water at the automatic toilet facility.

However, some innovative solutions have been suggested, including setting up community run loos, and even bringing in compost toilet facilities to the village. Cumbrae Community Garden hosts a compost W.C.

North Ayrshire Council have controversially agreed to cut many of the toilet facilities throughout the district, which has caused an outcry in various communities including Fairlie, and the Isle of Cumbrae.

The matter was discussed during the recent Fairlie Community Council meeting held at the Semple Centre.

And David Telford, who was highly critical of the decision to axe the toilet facility, said: "It seems that the council only have money to pay their £100,000 executives, and nothing else!"

However, member Joan Downie revealed that some neighbours at the site were relieved to see the toilet facility close down. She told the council that an alternative opinion had been expressed, and one nearby resident had told her that she didn't want to see the toilet facility replaced as it attracted travellers. The toilets are based at the Fairlie South car park area.

Astonishment was expressed at the community council last year when it was revealed that it cost NAC £28,000 a year to hire the automated toilet facility. Mr Telford had said that a toilet facility should have been built with bricks and mortar for a 'fraction of the sum'.

Some members of the public at the meeting asked whether environmental friendly compost toilets could possibly be set up to help resolve the situation.

Fairlie Council secretary Karla Tully pointed out that the electricity and water supply at the south bay car park was still there, so it could be re-connected in future.