The owner of an Indian takeaway must undo his recent colourful paint job if he wants to curry favour with council conservation officers.Raj Khan, who runs Spice Heaven in Fakenham, spent �800 this summer to redecorate the front of his restaurant in vibrant yellow and green hues.

The owner of an Indian takeaway must undo his recent colourful paint job if he wants to curry favour with council conservation officers.

Raj Khan, who runs Spice Heaven in Fakenham, spent �800 this summer to redecorate the front of his restaurant in vibrant yellow and green hues.

He thought the colours would attract more customers - but did not know the rented property was a Grade B listed building, with strict controls on its outward appearance.

Design and conservation officers from North Norfolk District Council said the paint job was also not in keeping with the street scene and suggested the more modest tone of “gentle gold 4”.

Mr Khan has agreed to repaint the takeaway's Norwich Street frontage in the subdued beige colour to avoid enforcement action.

“It is a shame, but what can you do if the council says you cannot do it?” he said. “I spent �800 to get it done, and it will cost the same to repaint it.”

Mr Khan, who also runs the Wells Tandoori, said although his Canary colours were not inspired by Norwich's football club, they were popular with his customers.

“We chose the colour because it was bright and we thought it would make us stand out. It would have been nice to keep it, but you cannot go against the council. It is best to keep them happy.”

Fakenham mayor Mike Coates said the town council had also questioned the colour scheme after Mr Khan's redecoration.

“There are rules and regulations about what you can and cannot do to a shop front,” he said.

Phil Godwin, the district's conservation design and landscape manager, said: “It's important that we safeguard the character and appearance of our historic buildings.”