Tom enjoying the mobile changing places toilet at Lancashire Encounter

This young man wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the Lancashire Encounter festival without a disabled toilet.

Tom Wade who has dystonic cerebral palsy was able to use the temporary changing places facility during the festival.

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His mum Jackie Sinclair says a permanent one needs to be provided in Preston city centre.

The 15-year-old needs a special hoist to allow him to be changed and use the toilet.

Jackie said: “This is the first time the City Centre has had as facility like this available which provides toileting facilities for people who are unable to use a regular toilet, including an adult sized changing bed and hoist.

“It’s a huge step towards full accessibility for the city and hopefully will push along the promised permanent “Changing Places” in the city.”

Plans for a permanent changing places toilet were approved in August last year, to be built in Chapel Yard between Fleet Street and Friargate.

Changing Places toilets are much larger and have all the kit needed for disabled users Pic: Mencap

However at a cost of £96,000 the negotiations between Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council are still ongoing.

Leader of the city council councillor Peter Rankin said: “We are delighted that we were able to provide a mobile changing places unit for Lancashire Encounter. We have a long standing commitment to improving facilities for people with disabilities and are working with Lancashire County Council to install a permanent changing places facility in the City Centre.

“We’ve had some really positive feedback from people over the weekend so I’ll be pressing both the City and County Councils to ensure we have a proper facility in place in Preston by Summer 2017. Until then, we will use the mobile unit at larger scale events, like Lancashire Encounter, that take place in the City.”

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