RESIDENTS say they will boycott an off-licence which has been given the green light by councillors.

Villagers say the Bargain Booze store at the former Home Shop premises on Chester Road, Helsby, will add to problems with drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

And some are already planning an appeal to magistrates following this week's decision by Vale Royal Borough Council's three-man licensing board.

Bargain Booze, which dropped a 24-hour application after objections from police, has won an 8am-11pm licence.

Police licensing officers withdrew their objections after learning of the new hours, plans for a CCTV system and a policy to prevent sales to youngsters.

More than 100 villagers packed Helsby Community Centre last Friday to challenge the store's bosses. They were backed at this week's licensing meeting by Helsby borough councillor Les Ford, who called Insp Phil Hodgson of Frod-sham Police Station as a witness to highlight unprecedented levels of anti-social behaviour.

But the licensing board - chairman Herbert Manley, Malcolm Gaskill and Don Beckett - gave Bargain Booze the go-ahead.

Julie Shadwell, of Chester Road, said: 'I'm just fuming. This is a huge mistake and totally irresponsible.

'I have two young daughters and might move now because I'm really not looking forward to the future.

'We can appeal to magistrates and I think a group of us will get together a petition and do so.'

Bill Hale, of Balmoral Drive, added: 'It's a disgrace.'

PCs warn of high levels of disorder

TWO serving police officers warned licensing councillors Bargain Booze would be coming to a village where the anti-social antics of youths were at unprecedented levels.

Speaking in a personal capacity, Insp Phil Hodgson, of Frodsham Police Station, and PC Graham Clayton, who covers Runcorn, Widnes and Warrington, said booze-fuelled behaviour was already rife.

Called as a witness by Helsby borough councillor Les Ford, Insp Hodgson, said: 'In 22 and a half years of policing, I've never experienced problems of this magnitude in any other area.

'We have had unprecedented levels of crime and disorder over the last eight months.

'We have filmed groups of up to 50 children outside the shops.'

'There's a drink culture apparent in all the alcohol we are seizing from young people.'

Insp Hodgson did welcome Bargain Booze's plans for CCTV cameras.

PC Clayton, a Helsby resident, told how drunk teenagers had ripped out one of his neighbour's fence panels at 11.30pm last Sunday.

Cllr Ford said Helsby had enough premises selling alcohol but was told that could not be grounds for refusing the application.

'Even if they were run to perfection I don't think any additional licensed premises could possibly help,' he said.