VILLAGERS and traders who fought a supermarket’s plans to sell alcohol 24 hours a day are celebrating victory.

Supermarket giant Asda has withdrawn its controversial application to Tonbridge and Malling council to extend the hours it sells alcohol at its Kings Hill store and says it has no plans to submit another one.

The news comes as a huge relief to many residents, who feared the sale of alcohol around the clock would lead to a marked increase in anti-social behaviour in the area.

Asda applied in August for the licence, which would allow alcohol to be sold at any time, although a spokesman said at the time it was intended for use during festive periods only.

But the application was condemned by residents and traders who vowed to fight the plans.

An Asda spokesman confirmed this week that the store had withdrawn its application and added: “We did not feel it was needed in this area, and we have no plans to submit another application.”