The Old Vic theatre has scrapped its men and women toilets and replaced them with 'self-selection' facilities that can be used by both genders.

The historic London theatre in Waterloo had previously promised to double the number of women's toilets to help tackle the industry-wide problem of long queues for female loos.

However, instead, all male and female toilets have been replaced with cubicles or urinals, which can be used by both men and women.

The move has prompted criticism on social media after the theatre had run a £100,000 fund-raising campaign last year featuring Joanna Lumley and Glenda Jackson that specifically promised more women's loos at the venue.

Under the new system, according to critics, women would have access to 24 toilets, which would have to be shared with men.

The Old Vic toilets in Waterloo, London which will be 'self-selection' gender neutral facilities

All male and female toilets have been replaced with cubicles or urinals, which can be used by both men and women

In contrast, men will have access to 42 facilities, including urinals that only they would use.

The theatre tweeted: 'After nine months we're very proud to share our newly accessible building with you, complete with a brand new entrance, a revamped Penny, up to 10 wheelchair spaces and twice the number of loos.

'When you come to visit us you might notice something a little different about our new loos.

'First, there are double the number - 44 loos within the building.

'Our loos now offer 'self-selection' rather than being labelled male or female. This takes a descriptive, rather than prescriptive, approach following advice from surveys conducted with focus groups.

'When you arrive in the theatre, you will see labels signposting which blocks contain cubicles and which contain urinals. We also have one specifically designed gender neutral loo.

'You can choose which one you want to use, rather than responding to a label placed on you which you may not identify with.'

The Old Vic theatre has been criticised for the plans, with several people pointing out it just means there are more toilets available for men and less for women

There will also be two 'roomier' toilets designed for pregnant women or those with young children.

However, the announcement led to criticism online, particularly because of the campaign for more female toilets, launched last year.

It quickly raised £28,000 although it is not clear if this money was used for the gender-neutral refurbishment.

Feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez said on Twitter: 'Just scanned back through my pics because I remember approvingly Tweeting about @oldvictheatre crowdfunder for specifically more 'ladies loos'. And yep. They did not specify that there would in fact be no ladies loos at all.'

She added that the theatre had 'ended up giving men 18 facilities practically speaking just for them, plus 24 they share with women.

'So that's 42 men have access to. Meanwhile women have access to 24 that they share with men. This is an improvement how?'

The admission sparked a raft of complaints from theatregoers on social media.

The move comes after the theatre had run a £100,000 fund-raising campaign last year featuring Joanna Lumley and Glenda Jackson that specifically promised more women's loos at the venue

One Twitter user said: 'They really really messed this one up. It's a case study in wokeness.'

Adele Barnett-Ward said: 'You are wrong to remove women-only toilets. I am happy to share public toilet facilities with transwomen but I would not feel comfortable sharing with men.

'You can accommodate people who do not want toilet segregation by having separate male, female & gender neutral facilities.

'It is possible to introduce gender-neutral facilities without removing women-only spaces.'

Amanda White added: 'So woke Old Vic. Push aside women in favour of a vocal minor minority.

'Why not erase women from the stage while you're at it and put boys into female roles?'

Chan Beck said: 'Are you going to have staff permanently on duty in the mixed sex toilets to mitigate the increased threat to women's safety?'

And another said: 'Looks nice, but to be clear - you've got a ton of urinals just for men, and the women also share what's left of the facilities with men? Sounds as though women got the short straw here. Again.'

The Old Vic replied: 'This is a complex topic that we gave a lot of thought to prior to and during the restoration. What we have done is double the provision of cubicled loos, and given people the option to self-select.

'In practice, the cubicled loos are patronised predominantly by female patrons and the urinals by male; queue lengths have significantly reduced since before the refurbishment; and those others who want to choose where they go to the loo now can. Including carers and parents.'

It added that they were 'open to hearing everyone's views'.

The Old Vic's refurbishment was planned to help make it more accessible and update public spaces.

Part of it was in response to repeated criticism about the long wait for loos during intervals.