A BID  to allow  a bar near Manchester's historic  Hidden Gem church to stay open until 4am has been defeated.

Canon Denis Clinch, the parish priest at  St Mary's Church in the city centre, has fought a two-year campaign against the attempt to extend the opening hours at Ithaca in John Dalton Street.

A 5,000-signature petition against the plans was presented to Manchester  council two weeks ago. Canon Clinch, who has recently had heart surgery,  was too sick to hear councillors reject a second bid to extend Ithaca's opening from 1.30am to 4am. More than 40 people applauded the decision at Manchester Town Hall.

 But convalescing at his Mulberry Street home in the presbytery adjoining the 214-year-old church, he said: "I am delighted at the news. I accept that we live in a vibrant city where people enjoy going out. But reason and good sense must prevail. To say No to Ithaca being open until almost 4am shows they have prevailed.

"This is a matter of respect. This would have been a nightclub within the church's precinct. It is right that we stand up for the church, which is an integral part of our society and the only city-centre church with clergy living on the premises."

Councillors rejected the application after hearing objections from the church, police and environmental heath. The meeting  heard how Canon Clinch was disturbed by taxis, revellers  and staff smoking in an alley outside his window in the five months since Ithaca opened.

Pictures of rubbish bags and beer bottles left in the street outside the bar were shown to the committee. Coun Pat Karney, the council's city centre spokesman, hailed the decision as the end of the two-year saga.

He said: "The Hidden Gem is a national treasure and we must do everything possible to protect it from threats. This would have been like putting a nightclub in St Peter's Square in Rome."

But Antony Lyons, for Ithaca, did not rule out an appeal. Mr Lyons told councillors the bar had 'no causal effect' on the level of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

He pledged it would clean up its act to prevent waste being left in the street. Mr Lyons insisted the venue would not turn into a nightclub because there was no dancing licence and no admittance after 2am.

After the decision, Mr Lyons said: "We are disappointed with the outcome. We are considering our position in relation to an appeal."

Canon Clinch brought in  top QC Nicholas Braslavsky to represent him and the Catholic diocese.

Mr Braslavsky said: "The Canon is is pleased with the decision for the church and for the many thousands of parishioners."