Decades of wrangling between London and Brussels over switching to metric measures ended with a vote in Strasbourg confirming that imperial measures can carry on indefinitely.

The news will be welcomed by the so-called "Metric Martyrs" – food sellers prosecuted for refusing to stop using imperial measures, including the family of Southwick market trader Steven Thoburn.

Mr Thoburn, who was convicted for selling bananas by the pound in 2001, failed to win an appeal at the European Court of Human Rights. He died from a heart attack in 2004, aged 39.

Earlier this year, the Echo reported Innovation, Universities and Skills Secretary John Denham's statement of intent to prevent local authorities taking traders to court.

Neil Herron, director of the Metric Martyrs campaign, welcomed the news but said the fight will continue until Mr Thoburn's name is cleared.

Mr Herron, of Chester Road, said: "I gave my word that I would fight for a Royal pardon for Steven and we will be announcing some high profile lawyers to bring that forward."