FURIOUS parish councillors have vowed to boycott a prestigious ceremony at an "ugly" block of public toilets in the New Forest.

The £157,000 convenience at Brookley Road, Brockenhurst is one of 17 structures that have been shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.

A ceremony celebrating its achievement will be held at the site on September 7 - but members of the local parish council will stay away.

Chairman Nina Ball said: "We have declined our invitations because we're fed up with the whole thing.

"The public convenience is visually unacceptable to residents. It's far too big and doesn't blend in with its New Forest surroundings.

"Basically, it a stark grey building which is both ugly and out of keeping with the rest of Brockenhurst."

The award is sponsored by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), which is full of praise for the new loos.

In a statement CABE said: "The district council commissioned an innovative public convenience reminiscent of agricultural barns, demonstrating how a modest building can make an important contribution to the public realm."

Architect Magnus Strom said: "We wanted to break away from the dark, smelly public toilet and replace it with a light and airy design.

"This was achieved by a simple steel frame enabling the walls to be lifted off the ground and the roof to hover above the walls."

The toilets have been a source of controversy since they were opened a year ago, but were defended today by district council leader Mel Kendal.

"They have now been recognised nationally, which just indicates that the architect has given us a superior contemporary design," he said.

"A lot of buildings in Brockenhurst don't blend in with other buildings, but when you put the whole lot together it's a lovely place.

"The public toilet stands on its own in the middle of a car park and is not right up against a Tudorcottage."

Other nominations include the Wildern Basic Needs Secondary School, Southampton, and the new-look Trafalgar Square.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 28.