Following revelations in the Wells Journal and a vigorous response from neighbours, Esso has withdrawn its plans for a 24-hour off-licence in Wells.

But the company still wants to sell alcohol from its city filling station between 6am and 11pm.

The proposals for the filling station in Chamberlain Street were greeted with horror by nearby residents, and a ferocious letter writing campaign was launched to object to the application.

Esso has now submitted an amended application which would include an off licence open from 6am to 11pm seven days a week. Esso has also withdrawn the application for a late-night refreshment licence which would have allowed the sale of hot food from the petrol station.

Neighbours have long complained that the sale of snacks from the filling station is one of the reasons that the station has become a magnet for late-night trouble.

They were particularly concerned that by selling hot food, even more people would congregate outside the filling station in the small hours of the morning.

And they claim the problem has been made worse by night clubs in Yeovil and Frome using Wells as a 3am dropping off point for shuttle buses.

One resident said: "They pile out of the buses already drunk and mill about in the street.

"The big problem is that Wells is the only drop off point, so people going back to Shepton Mallet or Glastonbury then have to make their way home from the city."

The licence application will now go before Mendip District Council's licensing committee on September 30.

Anyone who objected to the application has now received a letter explaining the change in conditions.

Because the application has been changed so dramatically, anyone who commented is being invited to make a fresh comment about the future of the filling station.

Mayor of Wells Tony Robbins said: "It has to be good that Esso have dropped certain aspects of there application, most notable the 24-hours drink licence, but I still cannot see any reason for granting them permission to sell alcohol at all.

"It makes no sense and I believe could still have the potential to cause problems in that area.

"The Wells Journal deserves credit for keeping this story in the limelight."