A Norwich MP has welcomed a government review of a range of 'snooping' powers which have been repeatedly used in the city.

The Evening News revealed last year how Norwich City Council had used powers available to it through RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers) legislation almost 40 times over two years.

One use saw the council spy on a pub to establish if it was letting customers flout the no-smoking ban in return for the punters contributing to a fund to pay any fines.

The government now says councils will only be able to use powers if they get approval from a magistrate and if the offence carries a custodial sentence of more than six months.

Norwich South MP Simon Wright welcomed the changes.