A PIZZA shop looks likely to fail in its attempt to open longer, despite support from 900 people.

Amal Al-Faham, owner of the Bacio Pizzeria, in Guisborough Road, Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough, has asked permission to extend its opening hours from 4pm to 11.15pm. At present, the shop opens from 5pm to 10pm.

The move comes after Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council initially turned down Mr Al-Faham's application to run the takeaway there at all. Permission was subsequently granted at appeal in 1995, on condition that the shop shut at 10pm.

An inspector ruled that it would be unacceptable to attract customers to the area beyond then as they may disturb nearby residents.

The latest application has attracted eight letters of objection from local people, who are supported by ward councillors. They refer to an ongoing problem with anti-social behaviour in the area, claiming it attracts gangs of youths who drop litter, vomit and urinate.

However, last night, Mr Al- Faham said that far from making things worse, his shop has helped alleviate the problems.

"In the past, kids used to hang around, but now the shop makes it much lighter and customers can see them, so they don't bother.

"We have done good things for the area - we are providing a service," he said.

Mr Al-Faham said the majority of customers were families, and it was they who encouraged him to apply to open later.

"People keep asking us to open for longer because they do not eat early, especially in the summer or when they have been out. Most people would like us to open an extra hour."

He said the 900 signatures on a petition bore testimony to local support for the shop.

"Wherever you go, takeaways do not close at ten. We are not asking for 2am or 3am - just 11.15pm."

A report to the planning committee recommends that the application be refused. It states: "The proposed extension of opening hours would give rise to activities detrimental to the amenities of nearby residents by virtue of increased noise and other nuisance."

Councillors will make their decision on the application today.