THE owners of a hot food takeaway in Nuneaton town centre have been told they cannot stay open until 5am because police and councillors fear it might lead to anti-social behaviour.

Nuneaton magistrates have upheld a decision by borough councillors to restrict the opening hours of the Dixy Fried Chicken Centre, in Church Street, Nuneaton, until 2am.

The owners of the shop had applied to the borough council, the licensing authority, for permission to serve between 11pm and 5am. They were turned down.

Magistrates heard an appeal - and have now upheld the council's decision.

Cllr Sam Margrave, chairman of the council's licensing committee, said after the hearing: "I am delighted that the magistrates have upheld the decision of the licensing authority and concluded that we acted reasonably."

Police had objected to the extension application when it was first lodged with the borough council.

Les Jackson, the borough council's principal democratic support services officer, said the magistrates had acknowledged, that the shop had premises elsewhere which were run satisfactorily.

He added: "However, they had heard compelling evidence of a history of violence in the town and how that had declined significantly as a result of efforts by the Crime and Disorder Partnership.

"The magistrates concluded that this was likely to change if hours beyond 2am were granted."