NEIGHBOURS have won a battle against a Nelson dairy which wanted to open for deliveries at 5am.

Bosses at the Norfolk Street milk distribution centre claim the business is struggling and 11 jobs are in the balance.

But residents told the Nelson area committee that several complaints had already been made about large lorries turning up before the current 6am delivery deadline.

Stephanie Hesketh, formerly of nearby Imperial Court, said she had been forced to move away because of the disturbance.

“In Imperial Gardens a lot of people are extremely elderly and sick,” she said.

“The state of the road is now absolutely disgusting, with all of these lorries trundling in and out. I suffered for two years without sleep.”

Council bosses admitted there had been visits by enforcement officers, following complaints over early working, which had prompted the latest application.

Planning agent Andrew Walker, on behalf of the dairy, said: “The business is struggling and needs extra help to secure jobs.

"Some deliveries are some distance away and one is in Preston. It has been necessary for them to expand in that direction to make the business viable.”

But Coun Sheena Dunn said: “They have not been good neighbours and have continually broken the terms of their planning permission.”

Councillors rejected the extra hour bid saying it would affect residential amenity.