A Hampshire pub has been told it can keep an outdoor bar and stage - despite fears they could continue to cause parking problems.

The Traveller's Rest at Hart Hill in Hythe sought retrospective planning permission to continue using the facility up to 12 times a year.

The application said a new leaseholder had taken over the pub and was seeking to enhance the business.

Now New Forest District Council has approved the application, which sparked 22 letters of support.

A council report said: "The stage and bar are located to the northern side of the pub and are considered to be acceptable in appearance and appropriate to their setting.

"They seek to enhance the facilities available at the pub. They therefore help to ensure the vitality of the pub and its retention."

The report said noise likely to be generated by the facilities would be acceptable as long as they were used no more than 12 days a year and no more than twice in any 28-day period.

"It is noted that the events attract additional patrons, which does cause vehicles to park on the lane.

"However, the parking outside the application site cannot be controlled by a condition attached to this permission. The level of additional parking is not deemed to be harmful to the verges in the long term."