SYRINGES and suspected drug paraphernalia have become the latest scourge at a troubled public toilet.

Disgusted residents have called on Brighton and Hove City Council to clean up the “vile” public toilets on King’s Esplanade in Hove.

A small metal dish, tin foil and syringes were found ditched outside the council-run facility on Sunday.

Photographs showing the dangerous materials were taken as families made use of the popular esplanade – just one day ahead of children returning to school this week.

“These toilets are vile, smelly, and shameful,” said one person.

“I wouldn’t want to take my kids there,” said another.

The city council responded saying it is having trouble keeping up with its cleaning schedule.

“We’re having recruitment difficulties at the moment and are not finding it easy to cover this work with agency staff,” a spokesman said.

“We are working to address this as a matter of urgency.

The Argus: At least three syringes were found at the sceneAt least three syringes were found at the scene (Image: The Argus)

“We’d like to apologise for the intermittent cleaning of the King’s Esplanade toilets.”

Tory councillor Robert Nemeth has also slammed the cleaning efforts – saying they pose a danger to the public.

"It is of course hugely concerning to many, not least parents, that drug paraphernalia is scattered around public areas that are easily accessed by children,” he said.

“There are many driving forces behind this complex issue but certainly the liberal attitude towards drugs of both the council and, ultimately, many members of the public is a huge part of the problem."

It is not the first time public toilets in Hove have been slammed for their cleanliness.

The Argus reported last year the Western Esplanade loos, just along the coast from Rockwater, were "like an ice rink of p***”.

One visitor, who almost fell in the mess, said it was hard to keep your footing on the flooring.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: "There was so much urine on the floor that I almost slipped over, it was like an ice rink of p***.

"It's a complete health hazard - an old person or a child could easily take a spill in there.

"Someone needs to get out and give these a clean."