Trixie has proved a hit with many customers, says Mr Foster

Jack Russell Trixie was contravening health and safety rules while at work with Chris Foster, said Powys Council, which runs the toilets in Machynlleth.

It "flushed out" Trixie when the story of her fund-raising efforts appeared in a newspaper.

Mr Foster has been told to leave the two-year-old terrier at home.

He said Powys Council feared Trixie could bite someone, but he added his dog was more likely to lick them.

Trixie has been going to work with Mr Foster for the past month and they have raised �72 towards Machynlleth's town clock restoration appeal.

Mr Foster said Trixie faced being locked up at home now

Donations were placed in a tin near to where Trixie sat in the toilet block in the town's main car park.

Loo life

Mr Foster, 24, said: "I was off work for three months with depression and since I've returned Trixie has helped keep my spirits up.

"During the summer we can get 500 visitors a day to the toilet block and in a month I've only had two people who said they didn't like dogs."

Mr Foster said Trixie had become so accustomed to loo life that she scratched a toilet door with her paw when she needed to be let out for a call of nature.

"My supervisor from the council said that Trixie was contravening health and safety rules and there was a possibility she could bite someone.

"But she's more likely to lick them," added Mr Foster, who has worked at the toilets for the past four years.

"It looks like I'll have to leave Trixie locked up at home from now on because my partner works too."

A spokesman for Powys Council said: "The toilet attendant has been told by his supervisor that it is against council policy to bring pets into council buildings."