AXMINSTER Tesco's bid to stay open later and extend its lorry delivery times has failed.

Councillors ruled this week that when it comes to protecting residents' peace and quite - every little helps.

Members of East Devon district council's rural area planning committee on Tuesday threw out the firm's application because of its effect on the "quiet enjoyment" of nearby home owners.

The company had sought to open the West Street supermarket from 8am until 11pm throughout the week and on Saturdays, with no change to the current 10am - 4pm Sunday times.

But councillors ruled that the current weekday times of 8.30am to 9pm and the Saturday hours of 8.30am to 7pm should not be changed.

They also refused Tesco's application to bring forward week day and Saturday delivery times by an hour to 6am. The committee rejected the bid after hearing a range of protests from residents in nearby Shand Park These included complaints about engines left running, loss of sleep, lights from the loading bay reflecting off windows causing loss of sleep - and allegations that Tesco regularly floats the existing times anyway.

Axminster town council also opposed the application, stressing that Tesco accepted lesser hours when its original planning permission was granted.

"The amenity to local residents still needs to be protected so the condition should not be varied," they said.

The district council recently ordered Tesco to impose parking charges which were due to come into effect on Monday. But the installation of the pay and display machines has now been delayed until later this month. Customers will have their fee refunded if they spend over £5 in the store.