A petrol station will be allowed to sell alcohol 24 hours a day – despite a neighbour's concerns over noise and anti-social behaviour.

The Morrisons Daily convenience store at Jack's Service Station in Ford Green Road, Norton was previously licensed to open between 6am and 10pm each day.

Councillors have now approved an application to vary the licence, which will allow the shop to supply alcohol and stay open around the clock.

Local resident Rebecca Prince objected to the application, raising concerns over increased noise pollution and anti-social behaviour late at night.

In her objection, Ms Prince said 'the prospect of noise, disturbance, engine revving and increased traffic throughout the night is distressing' and that this would affect the sleep and wellbeing of people living nearby.

But applicant Muhammad Yasir and his representative Bill Donne told the licensing sub-committee at Stoke-on-Trent City Council that additional steps would be taken to reduce the risk of any negative impacts.

These include 'clear and prominent' signage asking customers to be quiet, active monitoring of the forecourt to discourage excessive noise and a prohibition on selling single cans of beer or cider after 11pm.

The sub-committee was also told that at 11pm each day the convenience store will be locked, with all customers being served through a hatch.

Mr Donne said: "That's beneficial for two reasons. Firstly it's do with the security of the personnel working in the shop. Secondly, it reduces the dwell time quite considerably, because people aren't loitering inside.

"This is a very successful procedure, that not only many petrol forecourts use, but retail shops that are open late as well, and it works particularly well."

The petrol station already has full CCTV coverage and operates the Challenge 25 policy for all age-restricted goods.

Mr Donne said there had been no previous problems with noise or anti-social behaviour at the petrol station, and pointed out that neither the police nor environmental health officers had objected to the application.

He added: "We have some sympathy with the resident but it is an incredibly busy road. They have not had reason to complain in the past."

Mr Yasir told the sub-committee that he operated four petrol stations in Stoke-on-Trent, two of which already opened 24 hours a day without any problems.

He said: "At our Leek Road petrol station, since we started opening 24 hours we've not had a single complaint from the neighbours. There's not been an incident where we've called the police.

"We also open 24 hours at our petrol station in Dividy Road, and we've not had any night time problems. So in my experience, I don't see a problem with opening 24 hours."

The sub-committee agreed to grant the licence variation, with the additional conditions.

Sub-committee chair Lorraine Beardmore also suggested that Mr Yasir liaise with local PCSOs and councillors if there are any issues in future.