New and expanding businesses in Broadland are in line for discounted business rates after councillors agreed to introduce them.

Members of Broadland District Council's cabinet have agreed to a scheme which will allow new businesses or existing businesses looking to expand to apply for discounts to their rates.

The scheme was proposed as the council looks to attract new businesses to the district, while discouraging existing ones from moving away.

Trudy Mancini-Boyle, councillor for the Thorpe St Andrew South East ward, said: 'I can see no reason why we would not embrace this.'

The scheme was adopted with one amendment to process originally proposed.

Originally, it was suggested the council's heads of finance and revenue services and economic development would be responsible for handling any appeals from businesses denied discounts.

Instead, these members will be involved in allocating the discounts, with the council's leader and chief executive dealing with appeals.