A JOKE and toy shop has applied to become a convenience store selling alcohol 24 hours a day.

Tricks and Treats, in Deardengate, Haslingden, would sell booze at the shop between 6am and midnight but would then offer a delivery service between midnight and 6am.

Local councillors have objected to the application, which will be heard by Rossendale Borough Council’s licensing department on Tuesday.

But police have no complaints having drawn up a list of conditions with store bosses.

In a letter to licensing officers, Coun Gladys Sandiford said: “During the day by the very nature of the goods on sale it is a shop which attracts children for toys, sweets and miscellany.

“In the evenings there are already enough off licenses and pubs in the vicinity to keep a battleship afloat, and although a high street situation, there are many adjacent and nearby residential properties whose normal life would be severely disrupted by late night opening.”

Coun Granville Morris said: “To have the proposal of these premises to be licensed for the sale of alcohol will, in my opinion, create an increased risk of anti-social behaviour in this town centre location.

“This business is currently trading as a sweet and toy shop.

"The additional request to sell liquor will impact a poor impression to young children who visit these premises for the purpose of buying sweets and toys.”

The police have no objections to the plans after the applicant agreed to install CCTV cameras and ensure all staff were trained to sell alcohol.