objected to the store getting a liquor licence.

Mr. Alan Dunch said there were "clear vested interests'' among the objectors, who were victorious last December when the Liquor Licensing Authority refused the store a licence.

On Tuesday, Court of Appeal judges finished hearing the store's case that the objectors did not have any factual basis for their claim that liquor sales would lead to litter, loiterers and increased teen alcohol abuse.

Mr. Dunch told the judges: "It's not enough to trot out seven or eight members of the general public to say: `I don't drink and if there's a liquor outlet I'm afraid students might drink'.'' Objectors who pointed to the closeness of Warwick Academy to the store had not brought forward facts, he said. They could have referred to at least two examples of liquor being sold near major schools.

He asked for the application to be sent back to the authority with an instruction that it be granted.

But Mrs. Karen Williams-Smith, for Warwick Academy, said the objections of neighbours should outweigh other factors.

The authority was given evidence in support of all the allegations, she said.

More children would be attracted to drink if liquor was available at the store. And undesirables would be drawn to the area.

A decision on the appeal is expected before the end of the month.