MORE toilets in university campuses will be altered to be gender neutral.

The University of Brighton will convert single toilet cubicles and some with disabled access so they can be used by anyone.

They will add to gender neutral toilets already available in the Grand Parade main building, the Aldrich Library, and the Moulsecoomb campus.

Chairman of the equality and diversity committee, vice chancellor professor Debra Humphris, supported the proposal and it has now been agreed by the university's management board.

The university hopes to have gender neutral toilets available in each building by the end of the Easter holiday, ready for students' return to campus, alongside existing toilets designated to men and women.

Vice chancellor Professor Humphris said: "I am delighted we are taking this step forward, to become more inclusive and to building this in to future facilities. Thanks to all concerned for all the work to get us to this decision."

Lorcan Bevan, student and LGBTQ officer at the students’ union, welcomed the plans and said transgender people are abused, discriminated against and are victims of violence when they use toilets.

Lorcan, who is transgender added: "They are incredibly important because – personally I have a lot of trouble. I can’t use male or female bathrooms. The female ones don’t feel right for me and the male bathrooms are too intimidating. So I always have to use a disabled bathroom but then if someone tries to open the door I get this intense anxiety, that you have to validate yourself because you don’t look physically disabled."

Dr Nick McGlynn, a research fellow and lecturer, said reaction had been positive so far, adding: "We checked with the disabled staff group and they were extremely positive about it so, so far, I think everything has been very good.

"It’s not big changes, the vast majority of people I think will not even notice."

He said a UK study found 50 per cent of transgender people avoid using public toilets and 60 per cent of transgender men often to the point of physical pain.

He added: "Something has to be done about this and I am really glad we have managed to come together at the university to do this."