A dad is calling for more public toilets after his son soiled himself on a trip to the town centre when their nearest facilities were locked. Dominic Evans, who is an independent councillor in Bridgend has said that trips to town with his three children - two of whom have disabilities - are becoming increasingly difficult due to lack of facilities.

He said that while he believes the cutting of public services is a problem "up and down" the country, it was recently brought to his attention in Bridgend when his son was unable to access a toilet in the town's market because it was locked. He has now started a petition to install more.

He said that shortly after that occasion he encountered a 93-year-old man also soil himself when the same toilet was locked and the elderly gentleman's stoma bag started to leak.

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He said that while there are other public toilets in the area they are on the other side of the town centre which can cause difficulty for elderly people or those with additional needs. As a result, he says he has to take additional provisions when visiting the town centre with his three children aged nine, 11 and 13.

"[The petition] came about in response to an incident with my 11-year-old son who has down syndrome. We were in town having a haircut and he needed the toilet. There is one in the indoor market but when we got there is was locked and out of order and he soiled himself.

"The toilet was paid for by the traders and the council but unfortunately maintaining it hasn't really happened. There are others by the bus station but that is only open at limited times and are further away, and it can be quite intimidating.

"Now when I go to town I always have to be mindful, always got to have a change of clothes. You're always planning, you can't just go to town."

Mr Evans said that he is calling for more accessible facilities to be built and believes it is "a basic service and human right" to have such facilities available in town centres.

"I know this is a theme that is echoed up and down the country and is pretty much the same in England but the indignity for people that this can cause." He said that the response to his change.org petition has been "encouraging" and it has hundreds of signatures. You can find it here.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the importance of accessible public toilets which can help people lead active lives in their community. The Public Health (Wales) Act places a requirement for each local authority in Wales to produce a local toilet strategy for its area, in consultation with residents.”

A spokesperson for Bridgend County Borough Council, said: “We would like to reassure residents and the wider public that toilet facilities are readily available in Bridgend town centre and across the county borough.

"The council is responsible for the toilets at Bridgend Bus Station and there are also accessible toilets with baby changing facilities available at both Bridgend Train Station, as well as the indoor market at the Rhiw Shopping Centre, which has recently received investment. These toilets are managed by the Market Traders’ Association. The town councils in Porthcawl, Maesteg and Pencoed also provide toilets.

"With our support, our partners, Awen and Halo Leisure, also have accessible toilets at venues located across the county borough - including Bryngarw Country Park, Pencoed Library, as well as Bridgend Life Centre, which is within close proximity to the town centre.

"The café in Rest Bay and the forthcoming Cosy Corner development also have public toilets available through tenant arrangements. Furthermore, we would like to assure the public that we still offer the comfort scheme to local businesses, providing funds to assist in making their toilets accessible to the public. If there are businesses that are interested in this initiative, they are very much encouraged to contact us.”