A decision to make a barber shop owner take down security shutters installed on advice of police has been branded a "travesty" by his local community council.

Alan Mulholland spent more than £5,000 putting in the shutter at the Prestonpans branch of his Eskquire barbers shops after they were targeted by vandals last year.

But when he applied for listed building consent for the change to the building, which is Category-C listed, officials refused ruling the pale grey shutters  “harmful” to its historic character.

Mr Mulholland has appealed to Scottish Ministers to overturn East Lothian Council’s decision and allow him to keep the security shutter, warning that forcing him to remove it could jeopardise his ability to keep the branch open.

And he is being backed by Prestonpans Community Council who have branded the planners' decision a "travesty".

In a letter to the Scottish Government Reporter, overseeing the appeal, Brian Weddell, community council chairman, said the council collectively supported Mr Muholland's appeal.

He said: "Given the business suffered damage due to vandalism and the advice of Police Scotland Mr Mulholland has installed shutters that meet the criteria outlined by East Lothian Council and it is a travesty that this was rejected by the local authorities planners.

"The views of local people are summarised in the following comment by one of our community councillors -:

“Obviously listed building regulations are extremely important, but I do believe there should be common sense applied too. Given the context of the building, its level of prominence as a historical asset, and the need for successful businesses on the High Street, I don't think he should be required to remove the shutter.”

Mulholland, who also has a shop in Musselburgh, said that both sites were damaged by vandalism in January last year in what police confirmed was a “targeted attack”.

At the time, he was advised by a Prestonpans community police officer to install the full-length shutter, which is similar to ones used by other business premises in Prestonpans.

East Lothian Council planners suggested that an alternative grid or mesh which could be removed each day would be preferable.

Backing Mr Mulholland, the community council said: "Since Mr Mulholland set up his Eskquire Barbers Shop on Prestonpans High Street in 2018 he has brought additional footfall to the area after making a significant investment upgrading both the internal and external parts of the shop.

"As a result of mindless vandalism last year he was advised by the local community pPolice officer to install shutters which was a further considerable investment just as his business was being significantly affected by the lockdown.

"It is the collective view of the Prestonpans Community Council that the shutters Mr Mulholland installed are in keeping with other premises on the High Street and are in no way out of place."

The appeal is with the Scottish Reporter, who is due to visit the shop site.