A 'eyesore' building near Great Yarmouth train station has been brought up to standard after the borough council served a legal notice.

Last year, the planning department ordered external improvements to be made after receiving complaints about the condition of Vauxhall House, currently occupied by Cash 4 Clothes and DPKBV Ltd.

The building, with broken windows and patchy external paintwork, is a priority for the borough council because it is at the railway station, a key gateway to the town.

Following negotiations, contractors of DPKBV - which pays business rates for the building, have completed agreed works to clad the exterior in white UPVC. The firm also undertook ironwork to an external staircase. If the improvements had not been made, the owners ran the risk of criminal prosecution.

Trevor Wainwright, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: 'Vauxhall House had been an eyesore for some years, so I am delighted with the improvements, which have already drawn much praise from the public.

'Vauxhall House is now a white, shining example of how the borough council can and does use legal powers, where appropriate, to secure the tidying-up of land and buildings, especially such prominent buildings.

'The borough council is appreciative of the efforts made by everyone involved, including the appointed contractors, to ensure these works were completed ahead of the peak holiday season.

'As I said when the notice was served, first impressions of a place always count in terms of attracting new businesses, investment and holiday visitors, so it is more important that buildings on such key gateways are up to standard.

'Moreover, it is important for existing residents and businesses that they continue to feel proud about being in the borough, and we do not risk crime and vandalism through the so-called 'broken window syndrome'.'