A dispute over the possible relocation of a Leamington Spa scrap metal yard has "overshadowed" exciting plans to redevelop Leamington old town according to a council spokesman.

Residents of Avenue Road have complained bitterly that the council has tried to sidestep them in a bid to move Mercia Metals closer to their homes from its current Wise Street base.

However, following a meeting of the council strategy committee, spokesman John McGowan stressed that the council was looking at ways of improving the town.

He said:

"The meeting this week was really to discuss what could possibly done with the Wise Street site to ensure that it is not under-used for its potential.

"This is just a little part of the bigger picture of how to improve the whole of Leamington old town, and I think the residents dispute is a misunderstanding which has caused a blip on those plans."