A LORRY park on the M25 has applied for an alcohol licence - much to the horror of Essex Police and people living nearby.

Owners of the Skillet Hill Farm lorry park in Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey, have asked Epping Forest District Council to allow them to sell alcohol, despite being yards from the motorway and having no overnight sleeping facilities.

The site, which can hold vehicles of up to 44 tonnes and already has a cafe, toilets and showers, is popular with British and European drivers.

Site owners GBN Charters Ltd said that they would restrict the maximum number of customers to 40, but that has failed to stem fears that drivers could be tempted to have a tipple.

Worried resident Kathryn Richmond of Peregrin Road said: "If alcohol is available to them, there may be a threat to public safety by drivers consuming alcohol, and then immediately returning to their onward journeys.

"Alcohol isn't available at motorway services and I would support the view that this 'truckstop' operates as motorway services.

"As well as British drivers there will also be international drivers, who might not be aware of our drink-driving legislation, and may have different attitudes towards the consumption of alcohol."

The plan is being opposed by the police over fears that it will encourage drink-driving.

Simon Fisher, divisional licensing officer for Essex Police,: "The lorry park/rest area is immediately adjacent to access roads to the M25 motorway.

"Police will be objecting to this application on the grounds of the licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder and public safety."

No-one from GBN Charters was available to comment.

The plans will be discussed by the licensing committee on Thursday August 6.