The owner of a town centre shop looks set to lose his licence to sell alcohol after police answered a 999 call at the premises and found him to be 'intoxicated'.

The premises licence relating to Sasda 24/7 in Whalley Road, Accrington, is due to be reviewed by councillors on Thursday.

Lancashire Police has asked Hyndburn Council's Licensing Sub Committee to consider the removal of the licence on the grounds 'the following licensing objectives are in danger of not being upheld: the prevention of crime and disorder, the protection of children from harm, and the prevention of public nuisance'.

The current premises licence holder, Kumrakulasingham Thevathas, has held a premises licence for the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises since August 22.

The licence allows sales 24 hours a day and the provision of late-night refreshments from 11pm to 5am, seven days a week.

In a submission to Thursday's hearing at Hyndburn Council's Scaitcliffe House offices in Ormerod Street, Accrington, PC Phil Needham says: "On September 29 at 9.20pm police were called to a 999 call in Whalley Road, Accrington, namely the business known as Sasda 24/7.

"The licence holder Mr Kumurakulasingham Thevathas had contacted the police via 999 and several raised voices could be heard in the background shouting and swearing in an argumentative manner.

"As a result of this call several patrols attended the scene.

"On arrival, the police found the licensee Mr Thevathas standing in the doorway of the premises and the officers at the scene were quickly made aware of Mr Thevathas's intoxicated state.

"One attending officer described Thevathas as being 'incoherent' when speaking with him and appeared under the influence of alcohol, unsteady on his feet, his speech was slurred, and officers could smell alcoholic intoxicants on his breath.

"Officers also found a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka behind the till which appeared to have over half the contents missing, along with a three-quarters empty bottle of rum in the rear of the shop.

"The attending officers then advised Mr Thevathas to close the shop and go to bed as he was incapable of running the business whilst in such an intoxicated state.

"Officers then spoke to members of the public in the area who stated that Mr Thevathas is frequently under the influence and that this was normal behaviour for him.

"However since this incident, Lancashire Constabulary has been made aware of further information which has been considered and raises some safeguarding concerns and the suitability of Mr Thevathas to hold a premises licence."

The Lancashire Telegraph understands Mr Thevathas is not intending to challenge the licence removal.