A NEW gym has been given planning permission, despite a neighbouring funeral parlour raising objections.

South Oxfordshire District Council has given the go ahead to change the use of part of the Wilkinson building in Didcot Town Centre so it can be used as a gym.

The Co-Op Funeral Service had objected to the plan because of fears it may disrupt grieving families in its unit downstairs.

Objecting on behalf of the home Amelia Cook wrote: "The families are grieving, and need quiet for chapel visits and the last thing they would want to hear is banging about upstairs when trying to organise a loved ones' funeral and coming to see them."

The council has stressed that the gym should only be open between 6am and 10pm, Monday - Saturday and 6am until 6pm on Sundays and public holidays, to reduce the risk of noise disturbing neighbouring properties.

In its decision, the council said it believed the gym will not have an 'adverse impact' on the vitality or viability of the town.