NEW toilets have been installed in a Basingstoke shopping centre which will reduce water consumption by up to 84 per cent with each flush.

Festival Place has installed Propelair toilets as part of its programme to become more eco-friendly.

The toilets save an average of 4.5 litres of water with each flush, using just 1.5 litres of water compared to some toilets which use up to 9 litres.

The toilets have a two-section cistern; one for air and one for water.

Before flushing, the lid, which is treated with Steritouch for hygiene benefits, has to be closed to form a seal.

When the flush sensor is activated, water enters the pan to wash it, followed by air from a pump, which can’t escape because of the sealed lid.

This pushes out the entire contents of the pan to give a powerful, reliable flush, completed in three seconds, and ready to be flushed again in 20 to 30 seconds.

Neil Churchill, centre director of Festival Place, said: “As part of Festival Place’s ongoing commitment to environmental improvements, We have upgraded all our customer toilets. This means we’re able to reduce our water consumption using up to 84 per cent less water per flush.”