A PARCEL courier service is set to relocate despite objections from nearby residents about operating hours.

Nexday Overnite, which currently operates from the Edgefold Industrial Estate on Plodder Lane, is hoping to move to a bigger space in Halliwell previously occupied by Lancashire Tippers.

A change of use application submitted in July states that operations would start as early as 4am on weekdays.

Two petitions were received from 20 nearby properties objecting on the grounds of noise from employees and vehicles arriving early on site.

The Bolton-based company currently has 35 full-time employees but the move could create three to five new jobs.

Cllr Linda Thomas said: "I'm listening to residents who have been in touch to tell me about their concerns. As a town that has ambitions for economic prosperity, residents are on side for creating jobs whether that's one job or five jobs.

"The issue with this application is that 4.30am is too early. The company has received correspondence from the council asking for operations to be pushed back to 6.30am or 7am."

The application, which will be discussed at tonight’s planning committee meeting at the request of Cllr Morris, has been recommended for approval, accepting the proposed hours of operation.

This means no operations shall be carried out on the premises before 6am on Mondays or 4am on other days with no activities permitted on Sundays.

Cllr Akhtar Zaman said: " The issue is around the operating hours. I don't agree with this and I hope it doesn't go through."