A PUB in Darlington has had an application for a pavement cafe licence renewed despite opposition from a disabled group.

The Boot and Shoe Hotel, on Church Row, was given the go ahead by Darlington Borough Council's licensing committee yesterday.

The council has had a scheme for the licensing of pavement cafes in place for a number of years.

A letter of objection was sent by Gordon Pybus, of Darlington Association on Disability's Chair Access Interest Group.

He said: "I have objected to this application in the past. Access along that stretch of the pavement has been totally blocked off by tables and chairs spreading out to the railings.

"This stretch of pavement is the only wheelchair accessible route from Church Row to the town hall."

There were no adverse comments from the police, the commercial and licensing manager, the markets manager and the highways engineer. The committee agreed to renew the licence.