Seating outside a bistro which brings a "Mediterranean ambience" to a town can remain in place, planners say.

James Bilton applied for planning permission to keep outside seating at Allium, on Downham Market's High Street, after complaints it prevented people using publicly-funded seating nearby.

West Norfolk Council, has now said the seating can remain in situ.

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Susan Whitehurst said on the council planning portal: "This seating space has truly brought a lovely Mediterranean ambience to our lovely town, where people can sit outside and have a coffee, slice of cake and a chat whilst acknowledging and talking to passers by who they know."

Alison Winder added: "We often visit Allium especially on a beautiful sunny day or evening so we can sit outside and enjoy the comings and goings of our town."

Seven letters of support and two objections were received. Lisa Evans posted: "These tables and chairs block the path and prevent users such as myself from using the public benches, since you are practically sitting with guests of the venue. This is not fair. "