Donkeys and ponies used for therapy work can keep their home on farmland near a rural village despite noise complaints.

Karen Rust has been given retrospective planning permission to change the use of farmland at Little Massingham, near King's Lynn to keep six donkeys and two Shetland ponies.

Mrs Rust takes the animals on therapy visits to the nearby Norfolk Hospice, at Hillington, as well as care homes, schools and churches.

Little Massingham Parish Council objected saying it had received complaints about the "considerable amount of noise" made by the animals, while shelters erected on the site off Station Road were not in keeping with the area.

"The site is a jumble of aesthetically unappealing structures that are now an eyesore on the open countryside," the council said.

But more than 40 supporting comments were left on West Norfolk Council's planning portal.

Ali Fisher posted: "An otherwise empty field is now filled with valued additions to the local community.

"They provide a service as therapy animals and bring a smile to people's faces as they drive or walk past their field."

Maxine Lawton said: "Please support this wonderful lady and to keep her animals where they are, they are certainly no issue to the local surroundings and, if anything, enhance the village."

And Mari French added: "It's wonderful seeing these well-cared for and peaceful little donkeys in their field as I drive past.

"That they are used to benefit those with mental health concerns, hospice users and others is a huge plus for the community."

Council planning officers agreed planning permission under delegated powers for the animals to remain and for their stables, hay store and tack shed, along with a portable toilet.