RESIDENTS of a tiny Worcestershire village danced in the streets when they heard a planning application for a touring caravan site had been thrown out.

More than 50 villagers from Wichenford crammed into the Malvern Hills District Council offices to support their objections to a firm's bid to place 10 caravans on land behind the Mason's Arms at Venn Lane.

Despite planning officers' advice to approve the scheme, which involved uprooting an ancient hedge, members of the planning committee unanimously gave it the thumbs down.

Wichenford resident Mike O'Leary said: "When the decision was announced there was raucous applause and when we came out of the council building people were dancing in the streets. There were a number of local pubs that hosted celebrations."

The application from Coolbrook Ltd, of Broad- heath, prompted 56 representations - many of them strong objections.

"The fact that we felt so deeply about it must have had an impact on the committee," said Mr O'Leary. The reasons for refusal included the impact the development would have on the landscape, the loss of a hedge, the loss of local character and a sense of enclosure it would create.

Mr O'leary said: "Venn Lane is an ancient lane that pre dates William the Conqueror and the hedge figures on the early maps. To demolish it would have ruined that lane. There would also have been five properties seriously blighted by the scheme. We felt we had a good case.

"The community is over the moon at the way the planning committee members listened and made their judgement. They did a first class job."

He added that Wichenford is a very close community where residents supported one another. A major celebration was held at The Fox at nearby Monkwood Green last night.