A PENSIONER who suffers from a debilitating bowel condition has begged councillors to open more public toilets across the city.

Pamela Webber, 66, said she was speaking for other incontinence sufferers, who were often too embarrassed to admit they became trapped in their homes because of a lack of public toilets.

The retired children’s nurse and social worker suffers from ulcerative colitis, which can cause sudden bowel movements, and said she always had to plan where she goes in Oxford so a toilet is nearby.

Oxford City Council, which closed a number of public facilities in 2009, is promoting a Community Toilets Scheme.

But Ms Webber said there were queues of people trying to use them and more council-run toilets were needed.

She added: “I really have to think where I am going to be and where is the nearest toilet, and some people have it far worse than me. It is a horrible thing because it is so embarrassing.”

On Monday, she stood before councillors to give a heartfelt plea for more toilets.

She said: “If I had an accidental bowel movement, I could not catch a bus home, and probably would not be allowed in a taxi.

“The humiliation and embarrassment would just be too awful to contemplate.

“It is also humiliating to have to stand before you now to explain my predicament, but I have come to the conclusion that unless I do, nobody is ever really going to understand just how awful it is for people like me not to have access to a public toilet whenever it is necessary.”

More than 250,000 people in the UK suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Charities estimate that up to six million people suffer some form of incontinence.

Council officials admitted last month that the facilities in St Giles, which opened in 1895, are unlikely to reopen due to health and safety fears.

The 116-year-old loos are in the middle of the road, with no crossing. In 2009, toilets at Barns Road, Cowley, and under the Westgate Centre in Castle Street were closed, along with a disabled cubicle at Headington Hill.

Wolvercote Port Meadow and Hinksey Park toilets now only open from May until September. Most remaining toilets close at 5pm.

The councillor responsible for the service, John Tanner, said: “I have every sympathy for Mrs Webber but Oxford has 33 toilets available to the public. Only nine of these are community toilets.

“The others are run by the city council and provide a very good service.”

The Community Toilets Scheme was launched in June 2010, with the city council encouraging businesses to open up clean, accessible toilets to the public for free.

Businesses taking part allow non-customers to use their toilet facilities during normal opening hours, and display a sticker in the window advertising the scheme.

Nine have so far signed up.

They are the two branches of Greens Cafe, in St Giles and Bonn Square, The Jam Factory in Park End Street, The King’s Arms in Holywell Street, Marks & Spencer in Queen Street, Pizza Hut and O’Neills in George Street, and Wahoo Bar and Grill and the Oxford Retreat in Hythe Bridge Street.