A VANDALISM-plagued school has objected to a nearby shop's application for an licence to sell alcohol.

In a letter to Pendle Council's licensing officer, headteacher at St Paul's C of E Primary School, Barbara Dewar, said problems like vandalism and drug-taking on the site in the evening would get worse if alcohol was for sale at The Off Licence, Hibson Road, Nelson.

Imran Arshad has applied for permission to sell drink from 8am to 11pm every day, and until 1pm on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, at the shop at 196 Hibson Road.

If it is granted, he will have to install CCTV cameras, and would be responsible for ensuring that groups congregating outside moved on.

But Mrs Dewar, writing on behalf of pupils, staff, parents and governors, said she was concerned customers from the shop drinking near the school would disturb the children.

She said: "We have an ongoing problem of vandalism at the school and St Paul's Church. The school grounds are an attraction for young people in the evening, who leave bottles and evidence of drug taking."

Five other residents have objected to the application, with one saying nothing would convince him that the off-licence would be anything but a "catalyst for further decline in the local community."

Residents also felt that the shop would bring an increase in illegal parking and asked the licensing committee to put their best interests first.

The will discuss the application at Nelson Town Hall at 7pm on Wednesday, January 10.