Stratford-upon-Avon, England (Feb 1 2005)
A former mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon is sitting on a lavatory seat for six hours to protest at a "lack" of toilet facilities in a shopping centre.
Cyril Bennis is demonstrating in the town's High Street on Tuesday over what he says are inadequate facilities in Town Square Shopping Centre.
The loos have not been opened since the centre was refurbished 18 months ago because of maintenance costs.
Mr Bennis is "enthroned" on a porcelain toilet from local firm Thomas Crapper.
The former mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon is collecting signatures for a petition to get the toilets reopened. 'Important role' There have been no facilities since the former Bell Court shopping centre was demolished four years ago to make way for the new shopping precinct.
New toilets were built when the centre was completed but have not been opened by the developers because of the cost of running and maintaining the facilities.
Stratford-upon-Avon District Council, which owns the land, has been in negotiations with the developers to get them open as soon as possible.
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