A new supermarket in Drayton will be allowed to sell alcohol 18 hours a day when it opens on Thursday.

The Tesco store on Fakenham Road was today granted an alcohol licence from 6am to midnight from Monday to Saturday and 9am to 6.30pm on Sunday.

It will also be allowed to sell alcohol 24 hours a day for a 21-day period over Christmas and New Year.

The initial application from Tesco for a 24-hour licence sparked strong opposition in Drayton.

At the meeting of Broadland District Council's licensing sub-committee, neighbours spoke out against the application, fearing it would lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour.

But the committee's chair, councillor Robin Knowles, said the application was approved because no objections had been made to it by the police.

He added there was no evidence that granting the licence would lead to problems.

•See tomorrow's EDP and Evening News for the full story.