SOUTH Lakeland is set to get its first suitable toilet facilities for severely disabled people.

Kendal Leisure Centre has been granted planning permission to build a ‘Changing Places’ toilet, designed for people with ‘profound disabilities who cannot use standard disabled toilets’.

The project is the brainchild of the centre’s Active Communities Manager Caroline Smith, who has obtained funding of around £10,000 from Cumbria County Council for the facilities.

“It’s taken almost a year to sort so it’s been a long journey but totally worth the effort,” said Mrs Smith.

“It’s something that I’m aware of because I have a lot of friends who have children with profound disabilities.

“I know that toilet facilities for them are bad in most places, and it’s degrading to change your child on the floor.”

Mrs Smith added: “We’re not in the town centre but we’re not too far away and anyone is welcome to use the Changing Places facilities.

"We hope this will not only assist residents but also visitors to the town.”

In May 2014 the Gazette reported on one Sedbergh mum’s plea for Changing Places toilets in Kendal.

Mags Hall described having to change her son Zak on sometimes dirty and urine-soaked toilet floors due to the lack of facilities catering for his needs.

Mrs Hall welcomed the news as 'absolutely fabulous' but said: "We really need to have something in the town centre and I will keep fighting for that."

Changing Places toilets include a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system and space for the disabled person and up to two carers.

There are currently 82 in the North West but the nearest ones to Kendal are in Morecambe and Lancaster, according to the Changing Places website.

Kendal Town Council currently has £5,000 set aside for Changing Places toilets in the town centre, but have struggled to find a suitable venue.

The leisure centre will be closing off its poolside changing room over the Easter break for work on the toilets to take place.