It is one of the few areas in the country not to have its own town or parish council to fight for its residents.

But now Lowestoft is to finally get the representation many people say it deserves after the go-ahead was given to create two new local authorities for the area.

In what Waveney District Council leader Colin Law described as a 'fantastic day and a historic decision for the people of Lowestoft', councillors agreed to create one council covering the town and another for Oulton Broad.

The opposition Labour group on WDC raised concerns about the move, with leader Sonia Barker saying: 'This is like a relationship split where everyone is anxious to keep on good terms, however one side gets all the items that can raise money and the other side gets the items that are really expensive to run.'

The plan, which will see the councils created on April 1 next year with the first elections taking place on May 4, was voted through by Waveney council after Mr Law said: 'This should be seen as an opportunity to make Lowestoft great.'

After the meeting Mr Law added: 'For decades, the unparished area of the town have been deprived of a council directly representing their needs and ambitions.

'A new town council for Lowestoft, and parish council for Oulton Broad, will be best placed to understand the issues in this area and will provide a local voice for residents, delivering the things that residents want to see.

'This is particularly important in the context of the proposed merger of Waveney and Suffolk Coastal District Council, which could result in the district council area becoming larger.'

The move will mean residents living in a Band B property in Lowestoft paying £91.35 per year for the new council, or £1.76 per week, while in Oulton Broad the coast will be £40.99 per annum, or 79p per week.

What do you think? Email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk