COUNCILLORS in Callington will be donning their rubber gloves to keep the town's public toilets open over the Christmas period for this first time.

The toilets, in New Road, are usually closed over the Christmas holidays as staff take leave, but this year councillors have decided to keep the conveniences open to the public by opening and closing them every morning and evening and even cleaning them themselves.

Town clerk Helen Dowdall said: 'At the moment all we're hearing about is budget cuts and services stopping — councillors have stepped up to the mark and created a rota for the holidays, allowing staff to have a well-deserved break but maintaining the services for the town where possible.

'It also gives councillors the opportunity to have first-hand experience of the staff duties.'