AN EFFORD toilet block that blighted residents for years has been demolished to make way for community improvements.

PCSO Tom Bayly, who pioneered the action along with Sgt Phil Prior, oversaw the demolition on Blandford Road recently, after a long wrangle over the area's use.

PCSO Bayly said that trouble makers who loitered at the block taking drugs and using the site as a toilet, even though the toilet facility had been closed for nine years, would have nowhere to hide.

He said: "When the demolition took place we found used needles. The site attracted lots of anti- social behaviour, but now the space will be clear and troublesome youths will have nowhere to hide."

The police workers originally raised £15,500 from a range of organisations, such as The Heart of Efford Community Partnership, the Community Safety Partnership and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, to turn the former toilet facility into a community access centre.

But PCSO Bayly said that no agreement could be reached on letting the toilet block because of building regulations.

Instead the money will be used on access through the Efford Valley area to improve lighting and fund projects to take place in the spot between Torridge Way and Pike Road.

PCSO Bayly said: "This space was previously dangerous but we'll be clearing it up and making it accessible once again."

Cash will also be held back to improve the former toilet block site which is supposed to be used as a car park.

"We're trying to attract people back to use the site as a car park so that the adjoining play park may be used as much as possible and we'll be helping neighbours in the area to improve their fences too."

He added that children from Highfield Primary School would also create a mural to brighten up the spot.

He said: "We are really pleased this is all finally happening as residents have been expecting change for the past year-and-a-half. Crime in Efford has decreased by up to 40 per cent in the last two years yet the area still struggles with its safety reputation. We hope community work such as this will improve people's confidence in their neighbourhood."