A Belfast bar has been ordered to remove awnings and canopies on the exterior of the building, it has been reported.

Café Vaudeville in Arthur Street in the city centre had appealed against a prior decision not to permit the awnings, the wooden fittings that house them, and seven window canopies, according to the BBC.

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However, this appeal has now been rejected by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC), which said the need to provide shelter to punters was outweighed by "loss of architectural integrity".

The owners of the bar and nightclub, Birchsilver Limited, argued that the additions followed the alignment of the buildings features and were in line with neighbouring properties.

The PAC dismissed this, however, saying the timber boxes were "over dominant".

The listed building was formerly used as a bank before it was converted in 2005.

(NS/GK)