RESIDENTS in Highcliffe are celebrating after a proposal for a bargain booze store was withdrawn.

Christchurch council confirmed the licensing application for Moorland Wines had been withdrawn last week.

The off licence chain were to move into the Happy Pets store at Saulfland Place, Highcliffe.

But residents, unhappy with the proposal, set-up a petition against the scheme, which gathered more than 900 signatures.

They feared the store would encourage antisocial behaviour in the area.

Highcliffe School also wrote to parents, asking them to support the school's objection to the off-licence.

Jim Alexander, owner of the Mace store and Post Office in Saulfland Place, who also objected, said they had worked hard over the past 16 years to sell alcohol responsibly and make sure there are no gatherings outside his store.

He told the Daily Echo previously: “Moorland proposes to sell alcohol from 6am until 11pm. I have objections to this for obvious reasons, as I run a very similar business.

“However, the residents are objecting to it as this is a quiet neighbourhood area and they are concerned if a premise is selling discounted alcohol late at night, it will encourage the wrong sort of people to come to the area."

Residents also said there were already six or seven establishments selling alcohol within a mile, and questioned why another was needed.

Cllr Lesley Dedman, who backed the residents in their objections said she was delighted the application had been withdrawn.

Several other councillors also objected to the licence application.

Cllr Dedman said her concerns had centred on the store being a 'bad influence' and feared it may encourage gatherings as well as the possibility of underage drinking.

"I am very pleased about the latest development. It is good news for all the residents", she added.

"It's now common knowledge and everyone I have spoken to is very pleased."

And Huw Banks, organiser of the petition, said: "As a resident I was very pleased.

"I don't know why it has been withdrawn but nonetheless it has been made official.

"We wait to see what will happen now."