No sooner had a notorious North Walsham eyesore been transformed into an attractive open space than some motorists decided to use it for free parking.

Eastern Daily Press: Bollards erected on the site of the former 4a Market Street in North Walsham. Picture: MARK BULLIMOREBollards erected on the site of the former 4a Market Street in North Walsham. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

And so North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has had to install three bollards in front of the former 4a Market Street to prevent vehicles entering.

The site of the former printer's and shop, which had stood empty and crumbling for more than a decade, has been landscaped by NNDC which stepped in after its out-of-town owner failed to act.

It now features York stone paving, trees and street lights, which cost NNDC £66,000.

But cars were seen to be parking on the opened up area, meant only for pedestrians, days after the work was completed.

The landscaping has been hailed as a huge improvement to the sensitive site, framing a new view of North Walsham's grade one-listed parish church.

John Rest, NNDC's cabinet member for assets, said the feedback the council had received about the work had been 'extremely positive.'

He added: 'There has been an issue regarding parking on the newly-laid stone. The surface could be damaged by this and the bollards erected adjacent to the main thoroughfare aim to discourage that.'

The bollards have not added anything to the project's costs, according to NNDC.