A pair of phone boxes in one of Norwich's most historic streets could be set for an unlikely new lease of life - as a tiny coffee shop and mini ice cream parlour.

A company which specialises in converting the iconic red boxes wants to ring the changes for two kiosks in Tombland, which they say would preserve their look while giving them new uses.

Brighton-based Thinking Outside The Box wants to strip out the telephone equipment inside the kiosks and to turn them into the city's tiniest retail units - selling the likes of coffee and ice cream.

In documents lodged as part of a planning application to Norwich City Council, architect Miles Broe states: 'The concept of a public telephone box is now outdated, as the majority of people own a mobile phone. 'The proposed new use maintains their iconic appearance, but re-invents their use to suit the 21st century.'

Kiosks have already been converted in cities such as Brighton, London, Plymouth and Nottingham.

The kiosks would be staffed, with a drop-down seat and swivel-out basin.

The applicant wants to be allowed to open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, from 8am until 7pm on Saturdays and from 9am until 6pm on Sundays.

The kiosks were designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of King George V in 1935. Some 60,000 were installed across Britain, but only around 11,000 now remain.

• Do you think the conversion of the kiosks is a good idea? Write, giving full contact details, to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE.