RESIDENTS who lost their fight to stop a mini-store and food takeaway from being opened opposite their homes have launched a campaign to restrict opening hours.

People living in Collingwood Street, Coundon, are asking Wear Valley District Council to reject an application that would allow the store to open from 6am to 11pm.

Resident Katherine Hopper said she hoped councillors would stick to their original decision to restrict the opening hours to 8am to 6.30pm made when they passed the plans to build the store in March.

She said: "I would encourage everybody who lives in the area to write to the council to protest against the application.''

Mrs Hopper said that she had received a letter from the council to notify her of the application and she had 21 days to reply.

She said: "There are only a few residents who have got this letter. I don't think enough people have been notified. Everyone living here should know about this so they can have their say.''

Approximately 250 residents signed a petition against the controversial plans for a Bell's store and two food outlets, which would replace a petrol station.

They said their quality of life would be ruined by the volume of traffic, litter and noise pollution generated by the business.

There are also concerns that businesses in the former mining village would not survive competition from another store.

David Townsend, head of development and building control at the council, said: "Applicants are entitled to make an application to vary the opening hours that were restricted on them, but we will consider any representations made by the residents before a decision is made.''

A spokeswoman for Bell Store said she could not confirm whether the chain was opening in Coundon.