McDonald's bit off more than it could chew yesterday when it lost its bid to supersize its hours until 5am.

Thirty people living near the restaurant off Botley Road, Oxford, wrote to the Vale of White Horse District Council, saying the burger chain's plans to stay open until 5am on Friday and Saturday would keep them awake.

They feared the move would lead to increased noise, vandalism and litter. Yesterday, councillors agreed with them.

It was the second time residents have defeated the fast food giant. In 2001, when the restaurant opened, campaigners protested successfully against plans for a drive-thru.

McDonald's, which did not send a representative to the meeting, was granted a small extension, but the application to stay open until 5am was thrown out.

Residents' spokesman Michael Stubbings, 29, an accountant from Old Botley, told councillors: "McDonald's have no respect for people who live in Botley.

"Customers would be coming out of McDonald's shouting, screaming and swearing past my bedroom window at 3am, and the only way to prevent that is not to grant this application.

"A couple with a newborn child live close by and they have suggested that they will have to move if this extension is granted. There is a significant litter problem in Botley caused by McDonald's and the problem will get worse if they stay open until 5am."

At present, the restaurant opens from 6.30am to 9pm, Sunday to Thursday, and from 6.30am to 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

The application requested permission to extend opening until midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 5am on Friday and Saturday.

Councillors agreed that McDonald's could serve food until 11pm, Sunday to Thursday, with the restaurant allowed to stay open until 11.30pm.

On Friday and Saturday, it will now be allowed to serve food until 11.30pm and close at midnight. Van driver John Howells, 50, who launched the campaign to fight McDonald's opening until 5am, said: "McDonald's have won a slight extension, but we are all relieved that they have not been allowed to stay open until 5am - that would have been a nightmare and I'm sure it would have led to some people moving away from the area.

"It's probably fair to say have reached an uneasy compromise with McDonald's. We are grateful for small mercies."

Maggie Roman, 80, who has lived in Old Botley for the past 40 years, added: "We are delighted. It's a compromise, but it's a compromise in our favour."

Mr Stubbings said: "Councillors have clearly listened to our concerns."

Bob Johnston, who chaired the licensing committee, said councillors believed granting the application would have had an "unacceptable impact" on residents already suffering rowdiness and litter.

McDonald's was not available to comment yesterday.