WE’VE all been there – out shopping and desperate for the loo, but there’s no public toilets in sight.

Do you hold on, or do you pop into a nearby shop, pub or restaurant, use their facilities and then leave – with a little pang of guilt for not actually buying anything?

Well that problem is about to become a thing of the past in Potters Bar.

For Hertsmere Borough Council is extending its community toilet scheme, after a successful pilot in Borehamwood.

There, five premises in Shenley Road – including McDonald’s, a pub, and the council’s own civic offices – allowed customers to use their toilet facilities for free, with no obligation to buy anything.

A council spokeswoman said: “This provides an alternative to public and automated loos, which are costly to manager and maintain.

“In return, we pay the premises between �600 and �1,000 a year, depending on the facilities they offer.”

The council is now inviting businesses in High Street and Darkes Lane, in Potters Bar, to sign up to the extension of the scheme.

Successful applicants will be selected depending on their facilities, location and opening hours.

The spokeswoman added toilets in the scheme were inspected regularly, to ensure they were of a good standard.

For more information, call 020 8207 7435, email environmental.health@hertsmere.gov.uk or visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/cts