A curvy redhead who caused consternation to council planners has been allowed to remain perched above a smoothie bar.

Whether it was her slinky swim suit or cheeky smile which originally fell foul of planning laws is a mystery but Government inspectors have decided the bathing beauty looks just fine above Sejuice in Gardner Street, Brighton.

Bar owners Sarah and Steven Mulheron appealed after Brighton and Hove City Council refused planning permission for the wooden cut-out, claiming it was out of place in the North Laine shopping district.

They are now celebrating after hearing the appeal was successful.

Sarah, who has affectionately nicknamed the sign Fruit Tart, said: "I am absolutely thrilled. It could have gone either way I felt it was in the lap of the gods.

"If it had been refused we weren't quite sure what we were going to do. Everything revolves around the sign and it would have been expensive to do something else. I have had a phenomenal amount of support from people saying how great they think it is."

Sarah included pictures of nearby shops with distinctive signs in her letter of appeal. She added: "When the council made their decision I was really taken aback because I felt it was totally in keeping with the area. They have obviously got a strategy on how they want the street to look but I really don't know what that is."

The wrangle fuelled growing concerns that the city council is stripping the area of its Bohemian character, its planning laws viewed as staid and archaic by some traders.

Paul Harrison, who created the 10ft by 5ft sign, added: "I really don't know what the council is thinking. I would hope this decision means there is less pressure on them to take things down. It is a complete waste of money having this big hoo-ha. Surely they have better things to do."

Last year Ali Hadley, owner of womenswear boutique Acacia, nearly went bankrupt after she was ordered to tear out a perspex porthole in the side of her shop in Gloucester Road, Brighton, and replace it with a traditional square window.

Two years ago the council threatened to slap £100 fines on traders who refused to remove signs considered too bright or colourful, including two in Gardner Street.

A city council spokeswoman said: "The council is of course keen to support the individuality of the North Laine. All we ask is that shops respect its character as it is a conservation area."