A council leader says people could have better public toilets if they are prepared to pay for them.

Ken Bodfish, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council spoke out after influential architect Lord Richard Rogers attacked the state of the toilets at Brighton station.

Lord Rogers, who designed the Millennium Dome and the Pompidou Centre in Paris, said the gents' at the station were "absolutely disgusting".

He spoke out in an interview on the state of public buildings in Britain and said he was so incensed about the toilets he penned a letter to Mr Bodfish which, he said, was only the fifth letter of complaint he had written in his life.

Mr Bodfish, a regular user of the trains said: "I agree with him. The loos at the station, and on some of the trains, are disgusting. I am glad he has drawn attention to their condition as it opens up the whole debate about public toilets in the city.

"It is about time we had another debate on the provision of toilet facilities in Brighton and Hove. Are there enough? Are people prepared to pay for better facilities? Are they in the right place?

"I believe people are prepared to pay to go to the loo providing they are kept clean and people feel safe there.

"I am a grandparent and when I take my granddaughter out in Brighton and Hove I find there are very few toilet facilities where I can take her.

"I am sure that as there are more single men bringing up families on their own, they find the same lack of facilities."

Lord Rogers said the toilets at the station were ghastly.

His attack has sparked complaints from members of the public who agree with him.

Many also agreed with Mr Bodfish and said they would be willing to pay to use toilets if that provided them with better facilities.

David Carron, 55, from Peacehaven said: "These loos are pretty bad. I would be prepared to pay if loos were clean and kept well."

Staff at the newly refurbished Grand Central pub opposite the station said they often found people rushing through the bar to use their facilities because everyone knew the state of the toilets at the station were so bad.

Graham Morris, assistant manager of the pub said: "We are a friendly pub but it can be a bit annoying."

There are just over 50 public toilets and superloos maintained by the city council within the city boundaries.

The council, under the leadership of Lord Bassam, had a policy of selling off some of the lesser-used public toilet buildings.

Some have found new life as florists and other shops.

One of the most successful is the coffee house and restaurant, Frank-in-Steine in the Old Steine.

A spokesman for South Central, which is responsible for the upkeep of the toilets said: "We accept the toilets in Brighton Station are not good. They are totally in the wrong place and we will close them as part of the Brighton Station development, which has now been given the go-ahead after years of wrangling.

"Maybe if Lord Rogers is so concerned about the state of the toilets at Brighton Station he could help us in the design for better ones. It might save us some cash."

Paul Elgood, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council welcomed the idea of a debate on toilet facilities.

He said: "The state of toilets in Brighton and Hove is pretty awful. Unless something is done, this city will go down the pan."