CONTROVERSIAL plans to replace traditional wooden doors on a Frinton church with an electronic sliding entrance have been approved.

Frinton Free Church, in Connaught Avenue, has been given the green light to replace the traditional heavy wooden doors with automatic glass ones.

The plans are designed to make the century-old church more welcoming and accessible, but town councillors claimed the move would make the building “look like Marks and Spencer”.

The work is part of a larger project that includes replacing the pews and developing the kitchen.

Tendring Council planning officers gave the plan the go-ahead despite the town council calling for the scheme to be refused.