A NORTH-EAST woman is celebrating victory over fast-food chain McDonald's.

Last year, McDonald's built a drive-through restaurant in Thrush Road, Redcar, east Cleveland, on the site of the old gas works - despite a campaign by people living in nearby Hanson Street.

Led by Janet Hakbilir, they objected on the grounds of noise, litter, pollution, smell, traffic and fears for children's safety.

Earlier this year, the company applied for permission to extend its opening hours from 7.30am until 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am until 8pm on Sundays, to 7.30am until 11pm every day.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee refused permission, and the multi-billion pound company appealed against the decision to the Government's planning inspectors.

Mrs Hakbilir painstakingly researched local government planning policies to object to the proposals and described the impact the restaurant had on her street.

Yesterday, a Government inspector ruled that the extension could not go ahead.

Mrs Hakbilir said: "I took on a multi-million pound company and won and I hope this is now the end of the matter. Common sense prevailed."

A spokesman for McDonald's said: "We are disappointed our appeal was rejected for the fact that we won't be able to extend our opening hours, because we didn't think we would adversely affected the surrounding area."