As sunshine and above-average temperatures brought hundreds of people out to enjoy Leamington's premier park, Mrs McDermott found a dark cloud gathering overhead last week.

She was taking her seven-month-old granddaughter for a walk and went to the baby-changing facilities to change her.

Mrs McDermott of Rectory Close, Whitnash, said: "The baby unit was hanging off the wall with red and white hazard tape wrapped around it and the cleanliness of the toilets were of a very low standard.

"I ended up changing the baby on a park bench. This was not what I had in mind on such a lovely sunny day.

"I dread to think what impression visitors to Leamington make from this as I am aware that coach trips visit the Jephsons.

"I am complaining in sheer disgust at the condition of the facilities."

Mrs McDermott was also dismayed at the poor state of the area across Redland Road playing field, near the Prospect Road bridge. She said: "The pathway is badly overgrown, amounts of rubbish have just been dumped and generally looks untidy - are these maintained on any sort of routine?"

She added: "We pay an increased amount every year in council tax but it appears that a lot of services have been neglected."

Warwick District Council's amentities manager Ian Coker said: "Unfortunately the toilet facilities are subject to vandalism.

"Obviously in those situations we would put hazard tape out until we are in a position to clear it.

"It's a balancing act between wanting to provide access to people and closing it off.

"People abuse the toilets and make a mess of it - that does not help them or us."

He added: "The toilets are cleaned three times a day during the summer months and are regularly inspected. We have got a new contractor and feedback has shown that work has been good and standards have been improved."