VANDALS have caused at least £5,000 worth of damage and put out of action for "months" public toilets at Lordshill Shopping Centre in Southampton.

In what council staff describe as "the worst act of vandalism they have seen" thugs smashed cisterns, ripped urinals off walls and pulled off hand dryers and hand towel dispensers.

The trail of destruction shocked council public convenience staff who have been astounded by the damage caused to both the gentleman's and ladies toilets.

Now, they are hoping that residents can come forward with information which may help police to catch the thugs.

The shocking act of vandalism took place over the bank holiday weekend between last Friday night, when the toilets were last cleaned, and Saturday morning.

Chris Watters the council's cleaning enforcement officer said: "The ladies and the gents toilets are completely destroyed.

"There is not a piece of porcelain left in the building intact. Hand dryers and hand towel dispensers have been pulled off the walls.

"Southampton City Council go to a lot of trouble to keep their public toilets to a useable standard. We are finding this sort of thing all the time but this particular attack has escalated in scale.

"The toilets will require a complete inner refurbishment."

Coxford ward councillor Ken Darke condemned the attack on the toilets. He said: "This sort of thing is absolutely outrageous and cannot be tolerated."

Police are investigating the incident. A £500 reward is also being offered for information leading to the conviction of the offenders.

Anyone with any information should call Southampton Police on 0845 045 45 45 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.