out of the liquor licence hearing yesterday.

Mr. Kim White told the Liquor Licensing Authority: "I am instructed to withdraw myself.'' He added his clients did not have enough money to go on at this stage.

Mr. White, however, stressed the residents' complaints still stood.

"My clients are leaving their objections on the file,'' he said.

The supermarket's lawyer Mr. Alan Dunch described the withdrawal as "astonishing''.

He said the protesters should argue their case now, and bring forward witnesses.

Mr. Dunch said their objections, unsupported by evidence, would be worthless.

"The objectors have their shot now,'' he emphasised.

Protesters had feared increased loitering and littering in the area.

The Magistrates' Court hearing, in its second day, continued after Mr. White left.

The three-member panel later put off until October 26 a written ruling on the store's bid for a provisional liquor licence.

Giant Foods began its latest battle for a licence on Monday.

It was revealed an out-of-court agreement had been reached with Warwick Academy, one of the chief objectors.

But three local residents, represented by Mr. White, continued their protest.

At the outset yesterday Mr. Dunch made a pledge to the panel in a bid to put members' minds at ease.

"We will not sell miniatures, or individual tins of beer, or wine coolers.

"We don't want such sales to be an impediment to granting a licence.'' Mr. Dunch also put Giant president and majority shareholder Mr. George Whitecross back on the witness stand to dismiss fears the application could pose a fire hazard.

Mr. Whitecross said he had never known of a fire in a store's liquor department.

He pointed out someone would have to break liquor bottles to cause a blaze.

"It is the fumes that burn.'' Mr. Whitecross vowed not to sell liquor to people who loiter near the store.

After Mr. White left, Mr. Dunch called to the stand ex-Policeman Mr. Alistair Brown, president of private investigation agency, Bermuda Research Services Ltd.

Mr. Brown, a Policeman for 25 years, said he had carried out an Island-wide survey into 60 licensed premises.

And he concluded the objections to Giant Foods' application did not hold water.

Mr. Brown was convinced the management could effectively control liquor sales.

On litter, he said: "Frankly I fail to see what the objection is based upon in terms of fact.'' His survey showed managers were quick to stamp out litter problems, by installing trash cans, for instance.

Mr. Brown said it was wrong to associate loitering with licensed premises.

Often loitering could be linked with drugs, he added.

Such drug haunts included the Royal Naval Field in Somerset; Ord Road, Warwick; Khyber Pass, Warwick; and St. Monica's Mission, said Mr. Brown.

He added young drug dealers picked spots which were not accessible to Police, and had many escape routes.

Mr. Brown said questionnaires sent to managers showed a responsible attitude towards alcohol sales.

They also demanded proof when there was doubt over a person's age.