An angry beach-goer has slammed a decision to lock up the toilets at packed Clearwater Beach just after 5 p.m. on the Labour Day holiday.

And he has won the support of Works Minister Leonard Gibbons -- who has overall responsibility for the beach.

The Smith's Parish man said on Friday: "It's absolute nonsense that this should happen on so popular a beach.

"There were hundreds of people there enjoying themselves -- this has to be one of Bermuda's greatest outdoor assets and should be enjoyed to the fullest.

"However, around 5 p.m. the little one we had with us wanted to go to the toilet -- only to have us discover the facilities locked up tight.

"We ended up letting the child use the bushes across the roadway because we had no other choice. Lord in Heaven knows how many other people had to do the same.'' Mr. Gibbons said the agreement with the Clearwater Cafe concession holder, Sinclair Reid Jr. specified that the toilets should be open during "daylight hours.'' He added: "Daylight lasts until around 8.30 p.m. in the summer. I am glad to have a report from the public concerning this and we will certainly be taking it up with the concessionaire.'' The 57-year-old man, who asked not to be named, was at the beach with his wife and a three-year-old girl they were babysitting.

The three went to Clearwater Beach on Monday to celebrate the holiday and -- like many others -- stayed on into the evening.

But he said the beach cafe and toilets closed in the late afternoon.

He also said that despite the crowds there appeared to have been no extra provision for dumping litter from picnics.

"On a public holiday, extra litter bins should be in place -- we were obliged to pick up bottles and other trash and place it in a trash bag we had brought from home because we saw so few bins in so large an area.'' Mr. Gibbons said extra litter bins had been provided for the holiday.

He added: "People must take some responsibility and take their litter home if they have to.'' A spokesman for the restaurant said that the toilets closed at 6 p.m. on the holiday -- the same time as the restaurant.

She added: "If Mr. Gibbons wants to call me, he can. If we close the bathrooms at 6 p.m., the restaurant closes as well.'' See Page 4 for letter.