PEOPLE with complex needs and disabilities have welcomed a £150k grant to enable Dudley Council to add three specialised toilet and change facilities in the borough.

Facilities are to be installed at Dudley Zoo, Black Country Living Museum and the Cornbow Centre in Halesowen by 2024.

Dudley Council submitted an application to central government under the Changing Places Toilet Programme fund last year.

Changing place toilets are specially designed for people with complex needs and disabilities. They include specialist equipment and at present there are seven such facilities for public use in the borough.

Helen Martin, Dudley Council's director for regeneration and enterprise, said: "We know that good quality public toilets are very important to anyone visiting attractions and town centres, but for people with additional needs having fit for purpose facilities are a lifeline.

"I am so pleased that our bid was successful and that we will be able to install three new units that cater for people with additional and complex needs.

"We continue to work with groups and partners to look at ways of providing facilities for people living with disabilities."

The council worked with local partners and consulted with local disability form Access in Dudley to establish the best locations for the new facilities.