IT'S a very British problem: a row has erupted over the entirely orderly queues outside a famous seaside cafe.

For many, a trip to Whitby, North Yorkshire, would not be same without fish and chips at the Magpie Cafe.

People come from all over the world to eat at the seafood diner and more than 1,000 customers pass through the doors every day during the summer.

But now the world renowned diner is in danger of becoming a victim of its own success.

Here lies the problem. Even yesterday, an overcast Monday in October, the line of hungry visitors waiting to be served stretched out of the door.

Other businesses on Pier Road say the queues have got so bad they obscure the front of their stores.

Complaints have been made to North Yorkshire County Council, which plans to meet with the cafe's owners and neighbouring businesses to find a solution.

But Magpie owner Ian Robson said measures to reduce queues had already been taken.

He said: "We extended the building, opened a takeaway and moved walls to reduce the queues. I can't really see anything else we can do. I can't tell people not to queue.

"There have been queues outside the Magpie for as long as I can remember. It's up to our customers to stand in a queue if they want to."

Suggested solutions include limiting the number of people allowed to queue outside and widening the pavement.

County councillor Rob Broadley said the Magpie was a victim of its own success. "Obviously we have a safety issue - something needs to be done to protect pedestrians," he said.

"I think we need to take some kind of action, but I don't know what."

But Councillor Jane Kenyon said: "Enforcing it will make the county council the big bad wolf.

"It is almost part of the attraction to queue for fish and chips. When it rains, they get their umbrellas out and they still queue."

The cafe opened in 1937.