PLANS to hang 200 brightly coloured umbrellas above the town centre have been unanimously approved by councillors.

Colchester Council is looking to string the umbrellas from cables above Sir Isaac’s Walk, Colchester.

Councillors on the planning committee waved the plans through without discussion, agreeing it would increase attractiveness of the area.

They also agreed listed building consent to put up fixing points at 20 buildings.

It also includes putting up the cables for the umbrellas.

There lowest umbrellas will be 5.7m above floor level to allow vehicles to continue to use the road.

The plans are for three years but the umbrellas will be removed in autumn and replaced by another installation.

Some of the umbrellas will be illuminated, in a bid to make a “striking display that will be visible to visitors both day and night”.