Businesses were left fuming after plans to relax a ban on street trading in Lytham and St Annes were passed by Fylde Council.

Many feared they would lose trade due to the move.

Council chiefs wanted to relax the ban to help attract high profile public events.

But headway now appears to have been made after the council pledged the licenses would not be year-round and would only cover specific days when events were in the area.

It was also agreed no food and drink traders would be granted licences.

John Moxham, chairman of St Annes Chamber of Trade, said: "It was a huge step forward for traders and the council and one which we will keep going in the future by regular meetings.

"Some businesses had feared there could be too many street-trading licences issued.

"Some had feared there could be year-round street trading.

"We are now happy that is clearly not the case as licences will only be issued to approved, quality traders for a small number of major events. These events can only attract thousands of visitors to the area and traders support that."

And Coun Cheryl Little, Fylde's portfolio holder for social wellbeing. said she hoped plans for Lytham's second annual St George's Day Festival, a Proms event and a Battle of Britain memorial day, would now go-ahead.

She said: "We now have existing businesses on board to ensure the success of this summer's series of public events."

A row over the legality of the use of Lytham Green for public events still rumbles on.

Lytham St Annes Civic Society and a number of local residents and councillors, believe the use of the Green for commercial events may be illegal under the terms of the deeds – which gifted the area to the people of Lytham.

Robert Silverwood, who runs Lowther Gardens Cafe and supports the Civic Society's view, said: "We remain far from happy about the use of the Green though and a number of people believe it's illegal and could invalidate insurance for the events."

Town Hall bosses are now investigating the legal status of the Green.