PLANS for an Indian take-away to remain open until 4am every day have met with objections.

Residents in Billingham have joined police and environmental health officers in objecting against the take-away proposals in Station Road.

Partners Abid Hussain and Rahim Begum have applied to Stockton Borough Council's licensing committee to open from 10am to 4am every day.

Their current opening times are 11.30am to 2pm and 6pm to 11.30pm, Monday to Saturday. The business is closed on Sundays.

They said the new opening times would not add anti- social behaviour, litter or violence to the residential area, and said public safety was their main aim.

But Stockton council's environmental health officer Claire Llewellyn recommended the application be refused.

She said: "There will be a likelihood of public nuisance associated with noise from clients using the premises, and noise from the extraction unit as a result of the proposed opening times."

Meanwhile, Stockton police said a food take-away open at 4am would attract drunks and add to the number of people in the area.

"This would result in more crime and disorder, as well as noise and nuisance to local residents," said police.

Residents William and Jennifer Telfer, of Bedale Avenue, said there was already considerable noise from the take-away.

And resident Joanne Hollies, of Chapel Road, said: "Staying open until 4am seems too late for a premises within a residential area. Within walking distance there are 11 take-aways, including three Indian take-aways, and another one seems unnecessary."

But the take-away partners said: "We take public safety, health and hygiene very seriously. We aim to provide a service which does not spoil or cause nuisance to our local communities.

"We offer prompt service to avoid build up of customers that would cause nuisance to neighbours. Delivery service also allows less customers to hang around the shop."

The application is to be discussed on December 1.