FEARS that the solemnity of proceedings in a Kidderminster judges' chambers may be disturbed by the smell of curry wafting in have prompted complaints about a new Indian takeaway.

Councillors have given the go-ahead for a Tandoori takeaway in former offices in Comberton Place in spite of objections from the manager of the County Court.

She fears the food outlet will mean the first floor offices above will suffer smells and also believed there would be litter problems.

Court manager Mrs Avril Whattus said: "The room where the judge conducts his hearings is directly above the takeaway and I do not think it is appropriate for cooking smells, whether curry or otherwise, to be wafting up into the hearing room."

Mrs Whattus said hearings, before district judges, were held at the offices twice a week between 10am and 5pm.

She said: "In summer we have the windows open and I have no doubt we will have a lot of smells then. When you are working and concentrating you don't want it."

She also said the nature of the work of the County Court, which includes small claims, repossessions, injunctions and neighbour disputes, meant visitors were under stress.

"People can feel intimidated taking part in a hearing and the last thing they want is strong smells distracting them," she said.

Mrs Whattus was also concerned the new food outlet would add to a litter problem in an outside lobby at the court.

She said: "There are already about seven takeaways around the corner on Comberton Road and there is no litter bin near the office.

"We had to clear a dozen beer cans and food papers away this morning. It doesn't give a very good impression. We just don't need any more litter up here."

Even though the proposed opening hours would be in the evening cooking may still go on during the daytime, she believed.

An officers' report put before councillors on Wyre Forest District Council's planning committee said it was not considered there were too many takeaways in the area.

It also pointed out there would be an adequate extraction unit and the new outlet would be away from homes.