PEOPLE power has won the day after villagers forced a pub chain to drop its plan for a late-night licence - only two weeks after sinking a similar scheme.

Residents living close to The Deramore Arms, on Main Street, Heslington, were celebrating after The Spirit Group withdrew its application to serve alcohol until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight on other days. The decision to dump the plan came only weeks after a similar late-night application at the Charles XII, also in Main Street, was rejected by licence bosses.

Nick Allen, of Heslington Village Trust, said he was pleased, but not surprised, The Deramore Arms scheme had been withdrawn, after the Charles XII's late licence bid was rejected.

He said: "In the centre of town you could argue for this, but in Main Street, Heslington, there is no activity at all at night so any sort of noise is going to create a disturbance."

Dr Jeffrey Stern, vice-chair of Heslington Village Trust and a parish councillor, said: "We are delighted. We have worked hard as a team. A lot of people were involved in getting people aware that this licence was being applied for. That has paid off."

Malcolm Huntington, a resident of School Lane, said: "I am delighted. When you live in a residential area like Heslington, there is enough time to drink between 11am and 11pm."

A Spirit Group spokeswoman said: "We recognise that some local residents have concerns. We take these concerns very seriously and strive to be a responsible member of the Heslington community."

Updated: 10:27 Saturday, July 30, 2005