McDONALD'S has failed in its application for all-night opening at one of its Oxford restaurants.

Thirty people living near the restaurant off Botley Road, Oxford, wrote to the Vale of White Horse District Council, saying the firm'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. This week, councillors agreed with them.

It was the second time residents have defeated McDonald's. In 2001, when the restaurant opened, campaigners protested successfully against plans for a drive-through.

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: "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.

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."

McDonald's was not available to comment.