Despite opposition from police and the town council, a Falmouth pasty shop will be allowed to sell food into the early hours.

In a meeting yesterday (Wednesday February 13), Cornwall Councillors decided that Pasty Shack in Church Street could sell food until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Owner Sonia Papper originally wanted to be able to sell food until 3am, but councillors found that this would have a negative impact on crime and disorder as it would "act as a magnet" for people leaving nearby Mangos and Club International nightclubs.

She attended the meeting of the council's Licensing Act Sub-Committee and spoke to councillors about her application.

Sonia pointed out that a nearby takeaway, Salt and Vinegar, already had a late licence, and that a CCTV camera would be installed and security guard employed at Pasty Shack.

She also noted that the application had attracted a lot of publicity and that there was significant public support for the idea.

The Police Licensing Officer and Inspector attended the meeting and spoke out against the application.

They said that Church Street already had the fifth highest number of assaults resulting in hospital admissions in Cornwall, and that granting the licence would increase this number.

Councillors agreed to pull back the proposed hours from 3am to 1am for serving food and 3am to 1.30am for closing time, as long as the shop employed a security guard from 10.45pm on the days in question.

They have also allowed the shop to serve food until 3am on New Year's Day.