A well-used bottle bank which raises thousands of pounds for community groups in a north Norfolk town will be temporarily removed after noise complaints.

The six containers at the end of the Station Road car park, Aylsham, have been in the town for more than 20 years and attract recycling credits from Broadland District Council which benefit Aylsham organisations.

Aylsham town councillors were 'appalled' after they learned during Thursday's full meeting that Broadland intended to remove the town's only bottle bank on Monday, March 4.

The banks were in the middle of the Broadland-owned Station Road car park since 1998 and were temporarily moved closer to Bure Valley House sheltered accommodation two months ago while eight flats are being built.

The containers will be put back to the middle of the car park near the new building after it is complete.

A Broadland spokesman said: 'There have consistently been complaints about this bottle bank at this location (near Bure Valley House). Local residents have consistently complained about both the noise of people depositing bottles and the noise of the banks being emptied.' Broadland have promised to work with the town council to find a temporary location and town council clerk Mo Anderson-Dungar said members were looking at land near the recreational ground.

The banks have helped raise about £80,000 and the ringfenced money is given out by the town council.

Town council chairman Eileen Springall said: 'It is for the people of Aylsham.'

David Harrison, Broadland, town and county councillor, said: 'I'm appalled at the short notice of the news. The town councillors were incandescent.'

There are fears glass will be left in the car park after the bins have gone.

The nearest glass recycling banks will be at Marsham; Cawston Village Hall; Reepham Station Car Park; and the Norfolk County Council recycling centre at Little Hautbois.