Campaigners have won their long-running fight to stop a Boldon company opening a lap dancing club in Durham City.

The Royal Courts of Justice in London closed the case after Vimac Leisure failed to appeal against the High Court's decision in the given time limit.

The company planned to open a lap dancing club in the Loft nightclub premises at North Road last year but was blocked after residents raised concerns.

Dr Desmond Evans, Ann Evans and Kirsty Thomas are the only residents in the UK to successfully challenge plans for a club since the 2003 Licensing Act was introduced.

Mrs Thomas, of Clay Path, Durham City, said: "It is really good news.

"We are absolutely delighted that we finally have confirmation from our solicitors in London that the case has been closed.

"It's a great success for the local community because although there were only three of us that put our heads on the line, we had tremendous support from everyone."

In August last year, Durham City Council granted Vimac Leisure permission to open the lap dancing club three nights a week, but residents appealed.

Durham Magistrates' Court ruled against the council in December and awarded the residents 2,797.10 in court costs.

In Vimac Leisure's appeal last month, Sir George Newsome, of the High Court, ruled against granting a judicial review of the decision.

The final blow to the leisure company came in a letter from the Royal Courts of Justice.

It stated: "No request to reconsider the decision at a hearing has been lodged by the claimant within the period prescribed by the civil procedure rules, rule 54.12(4).

"Accordingly, I write to inform you that the file in these matters has been closed."

Mrs Evans, who lives close to the proposed venue, said: "I think it's great and we feel vindicated the magistrates and the judge said what we had been saying all along.

"We are going to have a small celebration next week and I think there is going to be a bit of bubbly.

"It has, after all, been going on for 11 months and bits of it were very hard work."

The three campaigners said they received letters of support from local hospitals, churches, businesses, the community centre, people living in the area and Durham University.

The Lawyer's Christian Fellowship gave them a barrister and legal advice free of charge.

The ruling is likely to lead people and councils elsewhere in the country to put up a fight against plans for sex shops and lap dancing clubs in their area.

Vimac Leisure did not wish to comment.