Two designated Traveller sites in North Norfolk are to remain as such, after it was agreed their leases would be renewed.

Leases on sites in Cromer and Fakenham were both due to expire this year, meaning they would legally no longer be allowed to be used as short stay stopping places for Gypsies and Travellers.

However, both sites will now be able to continue with this use, after members of North Norfolk District Council's cabinet agreed to finalise lease renewals on them.

While discussions around the issue were held in private for financial reasons affecting a third party, it can be revealed that the leases will be reviewed on a year-by-year basis, rather than the initial 10-year term.

Richard Price, cabinet member responsible for assets said: 'I am very supportive of the decision and believe it benefits the whole of North Norfolk.

'When situations arise where the police need to move Travellers on from a site, they need to have somewhere to go and this provides that.

'This also serves to look after the prettiest parts of the district.'

He added: 'The short stay stopping places in Cromer and Fakenham have served this district well over the last 10 years, enabling us to use the appropriate powers to prevent or deal with unauthorised encampments.

'The council's sites enable us to protect the wonderful open spaces of North Norfolk which is important for both residents and visitors alike.'

The sites have been provided to the Gyspy and Traveller community for the past 10 years as part of a government-funded scheme.

The Cromer site is located on Holt Road, on land next to the district council offices

Meanwhile, the Fakenham site is situation on land south of the A138 Holt Road, north-east of the town and 300 metres east of the Clipbush Lane/Fakenham bypass roundabout.

A spokesman for North Norfolk District Council said these two sites had been selected a decade ago to 'reflect the historical patterns of visits to the district'.

Members of the district council's cabinet have now agreed for senior council representatives to finalise the terms of the renewals.