A SHOP was yesterday granted permission to sell alcohol for 17 hours a day every day of the week.

Bells Stores, in Red Hall, Darlington, was granted an alcohol licence from 6am and 11pm, seven days a week, at a sub-committee meeting of Darlington Borough Council's licensing forum.

The store's previous licensed hours were 8am to 11pm, from Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 10.30pm, on Sundays.

There had been an objection to the store's application from a local resident, on the grounds that it would cause disturbance, but that was later withdrawn.

Bells Stores said it has internal and external security cameras and recordings are kept for ten days and made available to police on request.

Councillor Raymond Flowers, who chaired the meeting, said: "As the objection has been withdrawn, there is no case to answer. This application for a licence can therefore be allowed."