When a supermarket was built next to their houses, the reverse beep and revving of noisy lorries became a regular nuisance.

But until this week, Southtown residents had enjoyed some peace on Sundays and bank holidays.

Now the Pasteur Road Lidl store has won permission for lorries to deliver from 8am to 6pm every Sunday and bank holiday, disturbing residents every day.

The application was given the green light at the borough council's development control meeting on Tuesday, subject to a six month trial period and an acoustic fence being put up.

Penny Linden, councillor for Southtown and Cobholm ward, had opposed the plan, and said three of her constituents had approached her with concerns.

She said Lidl had 'disregarded' restrictions to their delivery hours in the past and did not deserve to be rewarded in this manner.

And she failed to see how the situation had altered since 2004 - when permission was given for the supermarket, subject to six-day deliveries.

'The store went ahead and they considered it viable when they had six-day deliveries,' she added. 'I don't think anything has changed.'

Residents fear that the extended delivery hours will take their days of rest from them, exposing them to the din of engines, tail-gates dropping, the noise of roller doors and wooden pallets being moved about.

Jackie Schneider, of nearby Station Road, wrote: 'I wish Lidl well and can see the benefits of the store to our local community, however I feel if the existing limitations were deemed appropriate in the first instance... they should be upheld.

'I strongly believe we are entitled to some respite on Sundays and bank holidays.'

Charles Reynolds, councillor for Ormesby ward, suggested a six month trial period, but Graham Plant, or Bradwell North ward, said the authority should challenge Lidl to comply with existing conditions first.

The supermarket claimed the lack of Sunday and bank holiday deliveries had undermined trade by putting them at a disadvantage to other supermarkets in town.

Mick Castle, councillor for Central and Northgate ward, furthered: 'People expect fresh food when they go to Tesco or Sainsbury's.'

The application had been recommended for refusal by officers as extended delivery hours would result in 'increased noise and disturbance' for nearby residents.

But it was approved by six votes to five, subject to conditions.

Lidl had also requested to build an exit from the store car park onto busy Pasteur Road.

The exit was part of the 2004 plans for the store until it was removed at the request of the highways authority.

This was also recommended for refusal, but was deferred for decision at a later date.