A town centre pub is to be converted into a 22-bedroom hotel, after plans were approved by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

The Troll Cart is to be turned into the town's first Wetherspoon Hotel, after the pub chain received planning permission from the council.

Plans were initially submitted in September, aiming to extend the current pub and install hotel rooms above, which will also see the demolition of adjoining one-storey buildings next door.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: ' We are pleased that planning permission has been granted.

'We are as keen as ever to open a 22-bedroom hotel on the site and invest £2.5 million in the scheme.

'At present there are no on site or opening dates.'

It is not clear at this stage whether any provisions will be made regarding parking once the conversion is completed.

The chain now has three years to complete the project, which will also see a new extension build in place of the current retail unit found at 10-11 Regent Road, which is to be demolished.