TENSION between a school and its neighbours may have been diffused after councillors voted for a compromise.

The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic School, Broomfield Avenue, Northallerton, wanted Hambleton District Council's blessing for an entertainments licence, so that it could stage evening events.

Last week, headteacher Peter Griffin confirmed most of them would be concerts or religious events.

However, people living nearby were worried they would face sleepless nights if live bands and discos were also possibilities.

Hambleton District Council's licensing committee granted the school's request, but, permission came with a number of conditions and, afterwards, neighbours confirmed they, too, were satisfied with the outcome.

One, who asked not to be named, said: "Feelings have been running high and I don't want to exacerbate the situation, but I feel we have a sensible solution."

Events arranged at the school will have to finish at 11pm and not at midnight, as had been requested, while numbers will be restricted to 120 people.

The school must also give the council a fortnight's notice of any event it is planning to allow the authority to arrange for noise to be monitored during the evening and as visitors leave for home.

The school will also have to reapply for the licence in spring next year