A town centre shop owner has had his licence to sell alcohol revoked after police found him drunk at his premises.

Officers answered a 999 call to the business and found boss Kumrakulasingham Thevathas to be 'intoxicated'.

The premises licence relating to Sasda 24/7 in Whalley Road, Accrington, was revoked by councillors on Thursday.

Hyndburn Council's Licensing Sub Committee agreed to a police request to remove 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'."

Mr Thevathas did not challenge the revocation of the premises licence he had held since August 22.

In a submission to Thursday's hearing at Hyndburn Council's Scaitcliffe House offices in Ormerod Street, Accrington, PC Phil Needham said: "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.

"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."