The owners of a village cafe who were told by Council planners it must shut are celebrating after the decision was overturned by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Gary and Heather Petch, who run Spoilt '4' Choice, a bakery in Bradford Road, Idle, appealed to the Government after being told their cafe extension would have to close because there were already too many take-away food shops in the village.

Mrs Petch, 41, today thanked customers in the village for backing their campaign to keep the caf open. The couple opened the bakery in December 2000 and expanded it in January 2001 with the cafe in an adjoining building previously used for storage.

After discovering the rented property did not have planning permission to be used as a caf, Mr and Mrs Petch applied to Bradford Council for retrospective consent to trade as a coffee shop.

The application was turned down but the matter then went before a Bradford Council planning committee after a petition was signed by 500 supporters.

The appeal was lost as planners said there were already too many take-away food shops in Idle and that the caf spoiled the look of the area.

Mr and Mrs Petch then wrote to John Prescott, who has responsibility for planning issues, last October after being served with an enforcement notice stating the cafe must shut. The cafe was allowed to remain open while the appeal was being considered.

Mr Petch, 43, said: "Bradford Council said the cafe didn't fit in with the village but the Secretary of State totally disagreed.

"The Council said the cafe would weaken retail in the village but we have now been told our cafe will only strengthen it."

Councillor Ann Ozolins (Lib Dem, Idle) said: "It's great news for Idle because loads of people use the cafe for breakfasts and lunch and as a meeting point."