A row has erupted in the streets of Shakespeare's birthplace as residents object to a proposed Chinese-style pavilion, which they say the council has only been approved to make the Beijing government happy.

Residents in Stratford-upon-Avon say that the council has said yes to an "eyesore" with plans to install a 22-foot "Peony Pavilion" in the town centre.

The structure is said to be a traditional symbol of Chinese culture and is set to be built in First Garden, which was donated to the authority by Victorian writer Marie Corelli in 1910 "to preserve the open space for the benefit of the town".

Some have accused the local council of refusing to reject the gift in fear of offending the Chinese government after their Chinese twin city, Fuzhou, offered the ornate structure as a sign of friendship.

The gift was in response to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust signing an agreement with the Chinese city to build replicas of the Bard's birthplace abroad.