The Scottish Government has been urged to provide funds for more public toilets in East Renfrewshire.

It is claimed that local residents could be caught short as a lack of cash for loos has made it more difficult for them to find somewhere to spend a penny.

A new report shows there are just three public toilets in East Renfrewshire – down from five since 2007, when the SNP came to power at Holyrood.

All three loos are located at Rouken Glen Park, in Giffnock. The two which have closed since 2007 were in Clarkston and Neilston.

East Renfrewshire Council has said there are also facilities available for public use at the local authority’s offices in Barrhead and Eastwood.

However, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have called for a “substantial programme” of work to provide more loos across the country.

Willie Rennie, the party’s communities spokesman, said: “Toilets are not just about public convenience. For some, the lack of accessible bathrooms can prevent them enjoying public spaces, while in other areas it has become an invitation to public urination.

“That’s a sad state of affairs for our country to be in but it is an inevitable consequence of the decisions that successive SNP administrations have taken.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see a substantial programme of capital works to provide more public toilets, alongside better car parking, electric charging points and waste disposal points.

“Beyond that, there needs to finally be a commitment from the Scottish Government not to treat local authorities as simply subservient bodies which can live off the scraps of the budget.

“Councils need long-term funding deals and the power to invest in their communities.”

The Scottish Government said it recognises the challenges faced by council chiefs in delivering services and maintaining facilities.

A spokesperson added: “The entire country is having to make difficult choices, including government and local authorities, but we have managed to find an extra £570million for councils for 2023/24 on top of last year’s budget allocations.

“The Scottish Government is building flexibility and autonomy into how budgets can be spent. It is up to local authorities to decide how to best allocate their budgets to meet local priorities.”