Villagers worried about lorries being diverted down narrow one-track lanes used by school children have persuaded Norfolk County Council to come up with an alternative scheme.

The road between Litcham and Great Dunham was due to be closed for five weeks starting June 28 to allow cattle grids to be installed at Litcham Common, with all traffic, including HGVs and school buses, directed through East Lexham.

However, following objections from local residents and a haulage operator, the council has decided to take traffic via Dereham Road, Longham, Wendling, the A47 and back through the Dunhams, and asked for the works to be postponed until the summer holidays.

East Lexham resident Stephanie Northen distributed a notice to raise awareness about the proposed diversion at a village quiz.

She said: 'I'm relieved that they have seen sense and decided not to do something that was potentially dangerous, so it's good news. You would have had vehicles that are too large for patches of roads that have grass growing across them.

'I would urge local people to state their case when they feel that things are not being done to their liking.'

A council spokesman said it did not have new dates for the work, but would publicise details when the new arrangements were finalised.