A CAR park and public toilets in the centre of a Herefordshire market town have been transferred to town council ownership.

The Tenbury Road car park in Bromyard, plus the nearby toilets, are now in the hands of Bromyard & Winslow Town Council.

Herefordshire Council says the asset transfer is part of its policy to devolve services to town council's where they will benefit the community.

The process also provides opportunities for town councils to run additional services and facilities to help provide more input and control in how they are run.

Bromyard & Winslow Town Council's acting town clerk, Gary Swinford, said: "We are delighted to have taken over this important asset for the town which will ensure that the public toilets will remain open in the future and that we can maintain car parking charges at a level that will encourage visitors to our town. I would like to thank Herefordshire Council officers for their help in making this happen."

Cllr Harry Bramer, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for contracts and assets, said the move has advantages for the council and the Bromyard community.

"I firmly believe that devolving services to the town council hands over responsibility to those best placed to run the service," he said.

"By devolving these services and transferring the assets Herefordshire Council can concentrate its efforts and resources on corporate priorities and statutory services."