MID Devon District Council has been awarded more than £150,000 towards adapting its existing disabled toilets to create fully accessible facilities at all three of its leisure sites in Crediton, Cullompton and Tiverton.

The funding is part of the Changing Places fund, administered by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which aims to support disabled people with improved access and facilities.

Changing Places offer those with profound disabilities an array of facilities that are not available in a standard accessible toilet. Designed for those who struggle to use standard accessible toilets, these refurbished facilities come with updated equipment and space for carers.

Councillor Dennis Knowles, Cabinet Member for Community Well Being, said: "I am delighted that we have been awarded this funding from DLUHC.

“It is going to help ensure we can provide a healthy, safe and secure environment that all local families will be able to access and give disabled people and carers the freedom of being able to enjoy visits without the uncertainty and worry that they may not be able to use our toilets.”

The District Council will receive a share of more than £7 million government funding.

It says that this funding will make a huge difference to the lives of severely disabled people and their families when they visit its leisure centres.

Disabled people will benefit from better facilities and greater accessibility at Culm Valley Sports Centre at Cullompton, Exe Valley Leisure Centre in Tiverton and Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton.

Andrew Busby, Corporate Manager for Property, Leisure and Climate Change, said: “It is wonderful that we have been allocated funding - an outcome that will see the provision of Changing Places toilets in our three Mid Devon leisure centres.

“These facilities will mean people who were previously unable to enjoy visiting will now have the freedom to do so. Everyone deserves to enjoy our leisure centres without the fear of whether or not they’re going to be able to access the facilities they need.”