A bid to bring the tennis world's "next big thing" to a Norfolk village is set to be knocked out of play despite local support.

Officials at North Norfolk District Council have recommended plans to create a padel court on a farm near Fakenham are rejected by councillors.

Padel - a hybrid of squash and tennis - originated in Mexico and has become one of the world's fastest-growing racquet sports.

The application proposed creating an outdoor court, erecting a new building to house two indoor courts with accompanying changing facilities, bar and seating area on land at Waterhouse Farm in East Barsham.

The owners of the family-run farm business hope it will be a way of boosting its revenue streams and it garnered support from local schools, including Fakenham Academy and Alderman Peel High School, which could have used the facilities.

However, while acknowledging the proposal's benefits, officers have said it lacks "robust justification" for the development taking place in a countryside area.

They are also concerned the site lacks safe access.

Councillors will meet on Thursday to debate the plans before making a decision.