JUBILATION could turn to anger for a group of residents who won council backing against plans to open an off-licence in their street.

An application to sell alcohol at the Bold Street convenience store in Accrington was rejected in April after 85 letters of objection were submitted to the licensing committee.

But now the shop owner is set to appeal against the decision.

Neighbours said anti-social behaviour by local yobs had left them terrified to leave their homes at night and raised concerns that the sale of alcohol would fuel their behaviour.

The owner of the shop Asif Javed wanted to sell alcohol between 9am and 9.30pm on Mondays and from 9am to 10.30pm between Tuesdays and Sundays.

But, the plans were rejected and residents cheered and clapped at the committee meeting.

Mr Javed's solicitor George Fairclough said at the time: "Youths congregating is an age-old problem. However, it is not the problem of Mr Javed."

He also said that Mr Javed was prepared to pump £100,000 into refurbishing the store.

Mr Javed has now appealed against the refusal and has resubmitted an amendment to the proposed opening hours for the sale of alcohol.

The new application is from 11am to 9.30pm Monday to Saturday and on Sunday from 11am to 9pm.

Stunned residents have now discovered the council will not contest the appeal as it would be "very unlikely to succeed in such a challenge and could be ordered to meet all the legal costs of the hearing."

Mother-of three Maria Hartley, 39, lives next door to the store and said: "This will just be another outlet fuelling the problems we have had in the past. There are that many places to buy alcohol locally, we don't need another. Hyndburn Council have backed out and we all feel let down."

The case was due to be heard before Hyndburn licensing magistrates yesterday (Thursday) and concerned residents were hoping to turn out to hear the outcome.

Chairman of the licensing committee Councillor Marlene Haworth said: "I do sympathise with these residents but the council and the courts have to follow Government guidelines on licensing. Legal advice was that, taking into account these guidelines, the available evidence would not support the council's case.

"The council could also have been exposed to an order for legal costs if the matter proceeded to a hearing. In view of this advice we negotiated with the applicant to reduce the hours during which alcohol could be sold."