A CAFE owner has called on councillors to remove a bench outside her business.

Elisabeth Drake, of Henry's, in High Street, Upton, hopes to replace the council-owned bench with a table and chairs for her customers.

Worcestershire County Council previously forced Ms Drake to remove some of the tables she had placed on the pavement outside, due to safety concerns.

Town councillors have now opposed her latest move, claiming that the bench has been at the site for over 30 years.

Speaking at an Upton Town Council meeting, Ms Drake said: "I conducted a long and frustrating campaign with Worcestershire County Council Highways over the siting of chairs and tables on the huge pavement alongside my curtilage.

"[It] means that the only location I am allowed to place outside chairs and tables is the area previously occupied by one of your street benches, now kindly removed to the cemetery.

"I need to provide additional outside seating. I therefore would ask the town council to remove your bench that is situated directly on my curtilage. I'm not saying destroy the bench."

Ms Drake warned that her business would suffer a 'serious negative effect' if the council did not allow it to put an extra table outside.

She also branded councillors' arguments for keeping the bench in its present location as 'absolutely ridiculous'.

Simon Yates, the Mayor of Upton, said: "I'm not convinced there's many people in the town that want that bench moved."

He added that the council would try to set up a meeting with Highways to see if they could be more reasonable.

Town councillor Peter Webb said: "The bench was there when it [Henry's] was still the Midland Bank."

Cllr Betty Williams added: "It was put in 37 years ago.

"I couldn't possibly agree it should be moved, I think it's history."

Councillor Martin Boulter said the council should be sympathetic to business but also noted that the bench is used by residents as it is next to the bus stop.