A plan to allow a factory in Upton to work round the clock was given the go-ahead this week.

The district council's southern area planning committee agreed to allow the application by Permadoor for an experimental one-year period.

Permadoor, one of the largest employers in the town, occupies a 0.4 hectare site on the Station Road industrial estate.

Twelve residents wrote to say the factory already caused unacceptable noise nuisance and the latest move would devalue their homes.

Coun Eric White said: "This small industrial estate is bounded on two sides by residential streets. Noise from machinery carries far, especially at night."

But committee members heard that Permadoor's managing director had given residents his phone number, including his mobile, and that he was available 24 hours a day in case of problems. Conditions will restrict the times of shift changes and working will be banned Sundays and bank holidays.