A PETROL station is to be allowed to trade through the night after planners heard it had was helping to combat crime.

Bolton Council's planning committee gave the Long Causeway service station in Farnworth permission to open for 24 hours over the next 12 months.

Owners Euro Garages collected a 263-name petition calling for the change in hours, but seven people objected claiming the move would result in neighbours being disturbed in the early hours.

The committee was told the application had been submitted after planning officers had discovered the petrol station was operating outside its permitted hours of 7am until 10pm on weekdays.

But neighbour Mr Holden, of St Peter's Way, urged the committee to allow the extension.

"The garage has driven away crime because it lights up this area which has been plagued by gangs of yobs," he said.

Cllr Bill Collison told the committee: "I believe this garage will be a help to neighbours who have suffered from vandalism, crime and abuse."