A former mayor has attacked plans to extend the opening hours of an off-licence at a parade of shops at the centre of anti-social behaviour.

Labour Cllr Dee Hunt wrote to council bosses requesting that an application by Bob’s food and Wine in Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, be turned down.

The wine shop currently opens until 11pm during the week and 10.30pm on Sundays but wants to sell alcohol until 2am.

The Mayesbrook ward Cllr told the Post: “I haven’t got a problem with the shop itself - It’s a lovely shop.

“We’ve had a few anti-social behaviour problems in the area. With it opening that late, it could lead to more anti-social behaviour. It might escalate the problem.”

Bob’s Food and Wine could not be reached but a Barking and Dagenham Council report stated staff were asking for the extension in a bid to increase their profits as “times were hard”.

Cllr Hunt sits on Barking Housing Forum and was the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham in 2007.

Councillors are to make a decision on the licence at Dagenham Civic Centre on Tuesday, October 23.