Romsey residents and traders opposed to radical plans to transform the town centre have won an 11th-hour reprieve.

To applause from the public gallery, members of Test Valley council's executive voted to hold fire on part of the controversial town centre enhancement scheme.

The majority of councillors backed a proposal by Cllr Martin Hatley to carry out works in The Hundred and Latimer Street, but to put alterations to the Market Place, Bell Street and Church Street on hold while supporting "improvements in principle".

The Hundred and Latimer Street phase - which includes making Latimer Street one way - would be subject to further work on the provision of disabled parking and "street furniture" to be used.

Officers had recommended the council give the whole scheme the green light or risk losing money from Hampshire County Council for the work.

The scheme is a joint project by Test Valley and the county council, with the county having the final say on what goes ahead.

Test Valley came under fire at the meeting for giving the impression during public consultation that the scheme had already been decided and they "were simply going through the motions".

The proposals for changes to the Market Place, including enlarged pavements, have caused the most concern among shoppers and traders angry at losing on-street parking.

Cllr Hatley said: "I believe the scheme proposed is premature - we just don't know what the effect of the new Waitrose store will be and related alterations to Latimer Street and The Hundred with respect to the Market Place."

Cllr Caroline Nokes said: "I for one will not foist upon the town a scheme for which so many people have so many reservations.

"The opinions of the people of Romsey deserve to be listened to."

But Cllr Mark Cooper urged members to think again and warned if they did not accept the whole scheme, the county council would not be able to find funding in the next financial year for phase two.

The meeting heard that parking, along with loss of character of the town, disruption, congestion resulting from a change to the traffic system and location of delivery bays were the main objections raised during the public consultation.