RESIDENTS who handed in a 477-name petition to try to stop another takeaway opening in the Sudell ward of Darwen were celebrating today after the plans were turned down.

The group were told this week that an application by Mohammed Hanif, of Higher Antley Street, Accrington, to open a fish and chip shop in Olive Lane had been refused by planning officers at Blackburn with Darwen Council.

People living near to the proposed site were concerned that there was no need for another takeaway when there were already a few in the neighbourhood and one fish and chip shop nearby in London Terrace.

They were worried that it could lead to increased traffic on an already busy road and would be noisy for those living close to the business.

A petition was started up with copies left in local shops and within a week 477 people had signed it to oppose the plans.

Roy Davies, a resident and Liberal Democrat candidate in the area, was one of the leading campaigners in the fight against the fish and chip shop.

Speaking on behalf of other residents he said: "We are delighted the application has been refused although they have got a right to appeal. We got so many signatures in just seven days. A local Asian shopkeeper also signed it which we wanted to point out because we didn't want the applicant, who is also Asian, thinking it was a racist thing. It is simply that we don't think there's the need for another takeaway.

"We are very pleased. The main thing is that this shows that if we all stick together by organising petitions we can get things done. It is people power that has achieved this."

Blackburn with Darwen Council said the application was refused on two grounds.

The first was that the proposed use would result in a loss of amenities to the nearest residents because of increased activity around the site with vehicles calling at the takeaway. It was also thought this would lead to noise nuisance to residents particularly in the evenings and late at night.

The second reason was because it was thought it would result in a loss of amenities to the occupiers in the immediate vicinity because of the lack of off-street parking on a busy road.

Mr Hanif, who was unavailable for comment, will now have three months to appeal against the refusal.