PLANS to convert a video shop to a takeaway have been refused after planners heard the area had become the 'takeaway capital of Lancashire'.

Mohammed Shahzad wanted to open the takeaway in the shop at the corner of Whalley Road and Milton Street, Clayton-le-Moors.

But residents raised two petitions, containing 78 names in total, with planners receiving a further 76 letters of objection citing parking, road safety and litter problems among other worries.

Speaking at a meeting of Hyndburn Council planning committee, resident Peter Towler said the town had become the takeaway capital of Lancashire. He said: "We don't want the cooking smells in our residential area, even though we may enjoy eating the food.

"We don't want the noise and litter, no matter how well it may be maintained.

"We don't want the problem of not being able to park where we live. We don't want the further erosion of the diversity of shopping facilities by the opening of another business which is over-represented in the area.

"We don't want the takeaway full-stop."

He was backed by ward councillor Tim O'Kane, who said: "Milton Street is the worst littered street in Clayton-le-Moors. It could only be worse if we were to have a takeaway there."

In a report to the committee, officers said they were concerned about potential parking and noise problems.

"The proposed change of use is likely to result in an increase in demand for on-street parking spaces, particularly during the evening peak, thereby causing inconvenience to residents by reducing the availability of on-street parking in the area," the report said.

The application was refused by the committee. Mr Shahzad could not be contacted for comment.