A pay-as-you drive car club has been given the go-ahead for more than 40 new bays around Norwich, as it looks forward to an expansion in its number of cars.

The Norfolk Car Club, established in 2009 with just two cars, now has more than 700 members, with 61 newcomers in January.

The club sought permission from Norwich City Council for a huge increase in the number of locations where cars can be collected and dropped off, with the public consulted over the proposals.

The Norwich highways agency committee, made up of city and county councillors, has now given the green light for 43 new bays at a host of streets around the city.

In the report which went before councillors, officers said: 'A common theme across the objections received was the concern that the installation of new car club bays would have a negative impact on the availability of parking for residents.

'However, one of the main reasons the council supports the car club is that the evidence from research into the effect of car club schemes from around the country is that they remove between five to 12 privately owned vehicles from local streets for each new car club car provided.'

Thirteen sites which had been put forward will not be turned into car bays after concerns were raised during the public consultation, while further work is to be done before a decision is taken over two proposed for Bethel Street.

Rex Warner, founder of the car club, previously said he wanted the number of cars the club operates to increase from 37 to up to 120.

What do you think of the car club? Write, giving full contact details, to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk