Plans to offer a rural sanctuary for people battling poor mental health are hanging in the balance amid resistance from villagers.

Norfolk and Waveney Mind is hoping to establish a short-stay recovery house in the west Norfolk village of Stow Bardolph, near Downham Market.

The plans would mirror a service currently run in Costessey - Holly Tree House - which provides a safe, peaceful, space for people in mental health crisis to receive support in a non-clinical setting.

The proposals would see up to four people stay at a time for no more than five nights and would provide access to specialist therapists and care workers.

King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council is due to consider the proposals next month, with NHS funding already granted to the charity for the facility.

However, the vision is facing opposition from villagers, who say the location is not appropriate.

Pete Boczko, chief executive of the charity, said: "If our plans get the go ahead it will make such a difference to people in the area with poor mental health, as well as massively easing the burden on the NHS.

"People who have stayed at Holly Tree House have said it saved their lives and helped them find a new way forward.

"Our country is experiencing a mental health crisis and the kind of intervention we can offer at our recovery houses is a vital part of the solution."

But some villagers have opposed the scheme, fearing it will "cause disturbance to the area".

It is not the first time the charity has faced opposition to proposals - having been forced to withdraw plans for a similar facility in Belton earlier this year. 

Mr Boczko said at the time that "stigma" around mental health had stood in the way of the well-meaning vision.

The application will be decided on December 4.