THE owners of an Indian takeaway who once claimed they were the targets of a hate campaign have won the support of customers in a row with the town hall.

The owners of the takeaway in Feniscowles have decided to appeal against a decision to limit opening hours.

And almost 90 people have signed a petition in support of Israel Miah and Suruj Ali, the partners who run the shop in Preston Old Road.

The Bangladeshi men claimed they were being targeted by vandals and thugs because of the sensitive Paul Wells situation.

The men claimed business was suffering and they had received death threats after the Feniscowles student was kidnapped by freedom fighters in Kashmir. Local residents also formed a campaign amid claims that trade at the takeaway was causing traffic chaos in the area.

Livesey Parish Council backed the campaign and a public meeting was held in a bid to tackle the problems.

Blackburn with Darwen Council granted the takeaway planning permission on condition it closed at 11.30pm on weekdays and midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

But a member of the public complained to the town hall after the shop broke the conditions.

Council officials took enforcement action against the owners in May in a bid to stop the takeaway opening late.

But the takeaway has decided to appeal to the department of the Environment against the action.

They have also collected a petition with 87 signatures in support of the move to extend their opening hours by 30 minutes.

A government inspector will hold an inquiry into the appeal later this year.

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