FAMILIES are bracing themselves for late-night disruption after a petrol station applied for permission to sell alcohol around the clock.

The Shell petrol station in Southend Road, South Woodford, already attracts noisy customers throughout the night and many fear a booze licence could make matters worse.

The deadline for objections passed on Tuesday and Phil Pampel, co-ordinator of Lambs Meadow and Northview Drive Neighbourhood Watch, said residents had not been given enough prior warning.

"I am opposed to the licence, but I don't have time to put in an official complaint, as I haven't long been aware of the licence application.

"We are used to getting rubbish thrown over our fence, but selling alcohol for longer will only make things worse for us," the 59-year-old said.

Adrian and Olive Ayres , 67 and 64 respectively, have lived behind the petrol station in Lambs Meadow for 15 years.

Mr Ayres said: "At the moment it is a 24-hour garage, so some nights we do get a lot of trouble from people getting petrol.

"We get the worst noise in the summer with loud music booming through our windows.

"We don't understand why they need to sell alcohol 24 hours a day.

"The shop shuts at 11pm and you have to pay for petrol through a window, so are they going to employ more staff and open the shop?"

Sarah Sanders has lived in Lambs Meadow since 1980.

She said: "It is just stupid. All it will be attracting is drunks at three in the morning. The area already has a problem with drugs."

Councillors for Roding ward, Ian Bond, Gwyneth Deakins and Felicity Bond, are opposing the application due to the garage's proximity to a residential area.

Cllr Deakins said: "The petrol station is really close to a residential area and we feel selling alcohol around the clock will cause an increase in littering and noise disturbances for residents living in the neighbouring streets."

The Guardian is awaiting a comment from Shell.

A date is yet to be set for a decision by the licensing committee.