The decision to close some public toilets in Powys has caused a stink

In January, councillors agreed to shut 20 of the county's 60 council-owned loos as part of budget cuts.

But the Welsh Assembly Government has stepped in to save five during the review and provided a �20,000 grant.

Powys Council said the grant would allow it to run the toilets until the end of the financial year.

The review of trunk road facilities in Wales will consider the need, the locations of public rest areas and toilets and their convenience.

Erwood's toilets are among five being spared

Following the review, the council said the assembly government may decide to fund the five toilets permanently in Caersws and Carno, near Newtown, Cemmaes, near Machynlleth, Erwood, near Builth Wells and Llanfair Caereinion.

'Well maintained'

A council spokesman confirmed the local authority had received �20,000 to run the five public toilet blocks, but added that the remaining 15 toilets set for closure would still be axed.

Shutting 20 would have saved the council �100,000, part of �4.9m worth of savings announced in January.

But Montgomeryshire's Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates said communities such as Llanfair Caereinion "did well" out of people passing through who stopped to use the public toilets.

Last week, he said: "The toilets in Llanfair are well used and well maintained. It is unacceptable to close the toilets."