Public toilets in Strood, which were demolished and rebuilt, have not reopened to the public as the building is lacking power.

Medway Council decided to refurbish the out-of-date toilets in the former market square, Newark Yard, in North Street, in April.

The building was pulled down and work on the new toilets is now complete but the reopening is about six weeks behind schedule because engineers have not connected the electricity supply.

One woman who has been caught short by the lack of toilet facilities in Myfanwy Dobson and her disabled son Thomas, who say there is nowhere for them to go to the toilet when they are out shopping in Strood.

They regularly get the bus from their home in High Halstow to pop to the shops in the town.

Thomas, 53, lives with his mum as he has suffered a stroke and needs assistance with some tasks.

Mrs Dobson said: “My son uses a walking stick to get about, which means he can’t walk as far as most people.

“The bus we get on only runs once and hour, so when you’ve been shopping for a bit and then have to wait for the bus, it is a long time to get caught short.

“There is a little toilet in the new market car park, but it is no good for Thomas, he needs a disabled facility.

“It’s not ideal going into a pub to use their loo so we have to go into a cafe and get a cup of tea, just to be able to use a loo.”

A spokesman for Medway Council added: “Having installed a new toilet facility for our customers, the council is as keen as anyone to have it fully operational.

“Officers are continuing to work with the energy supplier and have expressed the need for necessary works to be completed in the earliest possible timescale.”