A DELICATESSEN in Sutton has been allowed to extend its opening hours and sell hot food on a Sunday for a trial period.

Craven District Council's planning committee has revoked earlier conditions that restricted its opening times.

In future the business will able to open until 10pm Sundays to Thursdays and until 11.45pm Friday and Saturday night.

The relaxation of these restrictions will be monitored for the next 12 months amid fears that it might create nuisance, litter, vandalism and graffiti.

South Craven Baptist Church, which is opposite the delicatessen, had objected to the plans based on its experiences when a similar business operated a few years ago.

Its letter stated: "Nuisance was caused by the presence of youths meeting until well into the evening. Our grounds were regularly used as toilets, and often after our meetings had started, unauthorised entry to the building was made to use the church toilets. We experienced problems with cars using our car park and also had problems with litter.

"Initially we supported this venture as a bakery and tea shop which offered a welcome facility. A late night take-away is quite a different proposition."

The highway authority had also recommended refusal due to lack of on-site parking and additional traffic created by the proposal.

In a report, planning officers said the problems experienced by the church were police matters and were not something for which a new business should be penalised. This view was endorsed by the committee.

A plan to form a flat at first floor level was also given the go-ahead.