A controversial decision ordering Sandys Fishmongers in Twickenham to scale back its floral displays has been resolved after a meeting with Richmond Council.

Stuart Sandys, the King Street store’s owner, was told he must reduce the shop’s grand display to a mere two flower pots and one advertising board.

But after a meeting with council cabinet member for street scene Councillor Stephen Speak, a compromise between both parties has been met.

The bright display now has permission to stay but has been moved back by 2ft.

Coun Speak said: "It's unfortunate that the council's actions designed to help the visually disabled and less mobile members of our community got interpreted as some sort of clamp down on Sandys' wonderful flower display.

"The flowers help to identify the shop as a stand out destination and this council wants to help our local businesses.

"I'm grateful for Mr Sandys' responsiveness rectifying the key safety concerns and that he will be continuing to brighten up Twickenham with his flowers. "

But Mr Sandys questioned the council’s motives for agreeing to a compromise and said he fears the issue will rear its head again in the future.

He said: "We were told as far as they are concerned, they are happy with us moving the display back by a few feet - but we haven’t had anything in writing.

"He just wanted to put to bed because of the bad publicity.

"It was quite a pathetic meeting actually, what annoyed us more than anything was he didn’t know we had sat down with officials before to agree to the display as it is now.

"I don’t think the left hand knows what the right hand is doing."

The council spokesman previously said it had invoked the Advertising Board Policy 2007 to reduce the amount of "unnecessary clutter".

A petition calling for the fishmonger’s to be allowed to retain the flowers reached more than 1,300 signatures in less than a week.

Mr Sandys said the petition would be kept open in case it is needed again in the future.

As well as the support of his customers, the campaign also received the backing of Twickenham MP Vince Cable.

Dr Cable said: "Reducing street clutter and giving proper consideration to blind and partially sighted people is also important.

"However it seems quite obvious that most of the flower display outside the Sandys Fishmongers should be possible while maintaining plenty of pavement space for all pedestrians."

To view the petition and comments from supporters, visit change.org/p/the-london-borough-of-richmond-upon-thames-let-sandys-fishmongers-keep-its-flowers.