AWARD-winning Poole baker Mark Bennett will now be able to serve alcohol at his Sandbanks Road patisserie, after borough chiefs backed proposals for a late-night licence.

Mark, who was crowned national Baker of the Year earlier this month, wanted to extend the hours of his late night pizzeria at the Lilliput premises.

The popular bakehouse is now allowed to open until 12.30am, Monday to Sunday, and serve alcohol – as opposed to customers bringing their own.

Borough of Poole’s licensing committee nodded through the proposals earlier this week.

However, a handful of local residents were opposed to the scheme, arguing it will create noise for neighbours and add to drink-related disturbances.

Disagreeing with this scenario, Mark Bennett told the Daily Echo: “We are not going to be a large bar, we are talking about a small pizzeria that just wants to be able to serve its customers a glass of wine with their food.”

In a letter accompanying the licensing application, Sandbanks Road resident Paul Walker said: “I must strongly protest the above application.

“I enjoy greatly, along with many others, the excellent bakery and friendly nature of the staff and owners of Bennett’s Patisseries, but for it to become a late evening drinking destination would no doubt encourage drink-related disturbances.” Another neighbour said they also “strongly objected” to the application.

They added: “There would be no peace at all in this residential area. We have the elderly living across the road. It is highly undesirable.”

Earlier this month Mark was presented with the Baker of the Year title at the 2014 Baking Industry Awards, hosted by comedian Hugh Dennis at the Park Lane Hilton, London.