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AFTER three years of debate, a lilac house has been turned pink.

Janice Daines originally vowed to go to prison rather than re-paint her bright lilac home in Callis Street, Clare, which planners ruled was inappropriate for a Conservation Area.

The single mother-of-two said no-one told her she needed permission to re-paint it and she could not afford it.

Mrs Daines received support for her battle from all over the country against the planners, but after St Edmundsbury Borough Council threatened her with enforcement action, she gave in.

Mrs Daines reluctantly agreed to a new shade, but insisted it must be "vibrant" not "wishy-washy".

But at least the new paintwork, which was done yesterday, did not cost Mrs Daines anything as local specialist company Ingilby Mariner of Glemsford came to the rescue, when owner Ted Ingilby offered to paint the listed cottage for free.

"I am sorry to see it go and I still like the lilac better.

"But there was nothing more I could do. You could say I came up against a brick wall.

"It is not quite as bright as I would have liked, but at least I still feel I have won because I am not having to pay for it, thanks to Mr Ingilby," Mrs Daines said.