A fragmenting new pavement in North Walsham's Conservation Area is 'perfectly normal' and no cause for concern, according to North Norfolk District Council (NNDC).

Alarm bells rang earlier this month when the surface of the York Stone pavement, on the site of the former eyesore building at 4a Market Street, began breaking up.

The landscaping work, completed in April, had cost NNDC £66,000. North Walsham Town Council feared the sharp fragments left on the surface could be a danger and that the site might need to be cordoned off.

But John Rest, NNDC's cabinet member for assets, said: 'This is a high-quality natural product and this flaking is quite usual when the face of the product is new.

'Where paving of this type has been in place for some time, this is exactly what will have happened to give it its attractive look.

'Had the council chosen to use less attractive concrete paving, this natural process would not have happened, but given the prominence and importance of this location at a key entrance to the town, we are absolutely confident that we have taken the right decision.

'We are very happy with the work which has been carried out and believe firmly that the end result of several years of work by this council at 4a Market Street is of huge benefit to North Walsham.'