WINCHESTER planners have narrowly spared a firm selling vehicle trailers from possible closure.

Trailer Trek is based in a former grain store at Warren Farm on the outskirts of Micheldever Station.

For four years it has sold a variety of trailers, varying in use from transporting livestock to quad bikes but without planning permission.

As a result, the firm asked Winchester City Council for retrospective approval.

Council officers were unimpressed, and recommended that Trailer Trek, which has three staff, should be prevented from trading on the site.

However, the planning committee heard that Micheldever Parish Council was backing Trailer Trek's case and that no residents had objected to the move.

John Bothan, parish council chairman, said: "Surely Trailer Trek is an excellent example of the kind of business we should be encouraging to keep the rural economy healthy?"

A vote resulted in five councillor siding with the officers, with an equal number supporting Trailer Trek.

As a result, Cllr Ernie Jeffs, chairman, used his casting vote and backed the company.