HOPES of creating a seafood processing plant in a barn were backed by South Lakeland planners.

Mr and Mrs John Butler want to alter and convert a barn at Swyn Y Mor, Newbiggin, on the Furness coast, for cleaning, sorting and washing shellfish.

In a report, South Lakeland District Council's planning committee heard the Butlers' existing seafood business was housed within the farmyard.

The plans would allow the existing equipment to be housed in larger, more hygienic surroundings; but the scale of the operation was unlikely to increase.

Planners agreed the director of amenities and development could grant planning permission.