People in Church Stretton think a female voice welcoming people to town centre public toilets should remain, despite complaints from men who say it is putting them off.

Church Stretton Town Council is consulting on whether the greeting at the Easthope Road public toilet should be changed to a masculine voice or left alone after complaints about the electronic greeting “disconcerting” men using the unisex block.

The recorded message says: “Welcome. These facilities are protected by a security system. Please lock the door. The times for use of these facilities are limited. You will be advised when to leave.”

But men living in and visiting the town said they had no problem with the electronic voice and gave a resounding thumbs down to any changes involving taxpayers’ money.

Tourist Steve Edwards said: “In this day and age I think there are much better things to be spending money on. My son has used the toilets and he found it highly amusing.”

Eric Brown, who was visiting from the north east, said the town council should not listen to complaints.

He added: “I would leave it as it is. It is quite interesting.”

David Handley, of Church Stretton, said changing to a man’s voice could infuriate women using the toilets and it was not something worth spending money on.

Mr Handley said: “If it’s a man’s voice they would only complain then wouldn’t they.”

Alfred Stratton, from Church Stretton, said he could not understand what all the fuss was about.

He said: “I like to hear a woman’s voice. I’m rather partial to women to be honest. It’s a load of rubbish isn’t it. It’s a waste of time and a waste of people’s phone calls even ringing up about it I should think.”

Lee Parry, from Shrewsbury, said: “I really can’t think why there’s any point. I never paid any notice to it.

“If people are put off by the voice of a woman in there then they should use the toilet at home. I can’t see that it’s a problem.”

Deputy mayor Tom Beaumont yesterday revealed men have complained to the council about the “very disconcerting” women’s voice.

Mr Beaumont encouraged people to let the council know their views, but said he personally felt there were more important issues to tackle for the council at the moment. E-mail views to town clerk Christine Harvey on townclerk@churchstret ton-tc.gov.uk