North Norwich parish Sprowston will now be known as a town after councillors decided to implement a new town status at a meeting last night.

Sprowston parish councillors voted unanimously in favour of becoming a town at the council meeting.

The council is now entitled to have a mayor and deputy mayor in place of a chairman and vice chairman.

A town is usually defined as a centre of business and population with an area in excess of one square mile. The parish currently has around 15,000 residents.

Chairman of Sprowston parish council Ken Lashley said: 'We are bigger than most towns in Norfolk.

'I would like to propose that we do not have a town mayor - there's no requirement and the town can still have a chairman and vice chair. It would be presumptuous to have a mayor. We work very well.'

Councillor John Bracey said: 'I think the time has come. Sprowston has been a parish for many years and we are the parish of the county.'

Do you have a Sprowston story for the Evening News? Contact Lucy Wright on 01603 772495 or email lucy.wright@archant.co.uk