THE owner of a popular Italian restaurant has been told he broke rules by painting it a browny-red colour without permission.

Pendle Council called a meeting with representatives of Carlo’s Ristorante, after the Colne resTaurant was re-painted in the unusual colour in the summer.

A spokesman for the local authority confirmed that restaurant owner Carlo Lionti was told he should have sought planning permission to carry out the work because the premises, in Norway House, Albert Road, were part of a Grade II- listed building.

And he has now been ordered to either return the premises to their original colour, or submit retrosp-ective plans for the alteration.

But whichever option Mr Lionti chooses, he will incur extra costs because re-painting the premises will involve paying tradesmen, as would submitting retrospective plans as it would involve paying an architect to produce drawings of the landmark site.

Yesterday, Mr Lionti was abroad and unavailable for comment.

But County Coun George Askew sympathised with the restaurateur.

He said: “I think it cost Carlo about £4,000 to do the painting.

“Now it could cost him the same again if he has to paint it black again.

"It just seems a bit silly because it looks really good.

"We cannot penalise businesses for investing, making their premises look better. I find it backward.”

It is understood that Mr Lionti is yet to indicate his inten-tions for the premises, but he is expected to do so on his return next week.