Bennetts has been given retrospective planning permission to sell smaller electrical items from its edge-of-town Cromer store.

A condition covering the Holt Road unit, now occupied by Bennetts, restricted sales to 'bulky' goods, such as washing machines, which were not generally available in town-centre shops because of the difficulty for customers in collecting purchases.

But the shop, which moved from Church Street in the town centre, has been selling smaller electrical items, including radios, in its Holt Road store.

North Norfolk District Council's development committee heard yesterday that the condition was aimed at protecting the viability of the town centre.

But councillor Keith Johnson said there was evidence that out-of-town stores complemented, rather than harmed, the town centre.

Recent figures had revealed a large increase in people visiting Cromer's Tourist Information Centre which suggested more people were visiting the town.

Mr Johnson added that Bennetts was close to Argos, Homebase and Morrisons which all sold a range of electrical goods and it would be unfair and restrictive to prevent Bennetts, which brought jobs to Cromer, doing the same.