A number of residents put their name to a petition against the application, worried it would jeopardise the future of the village's Harambee Surgery.

There were fears its service would become under-used as people would be able to buy medical aids over the counter from the new outlet, as well as pick up prescription drugs. Currently, only patients of the surgery can pick up prescription drugs and cannot buy medicines over the counter.

Coun. Mike Calvert said: "I'm delighted this application has been turned down. It will be a great relief to most people. It means the Harambee is safe and can now look into expanding to create a dispensary for its visitors.

"I think it's woken up to the fact people may wish to have a pharmacy as there are people in Trawden who can't get medicines in the village and have to go to Colne.

"Thank you to all those who supported the petition and to the Friends of Harambee Surgery."

East Lancashire Primary Care Trust refused Mr Suhaib Abdullah's application to provide pharmaceutical services in the vicinity of Skipton Road, Trawden, on the grounds that granting it would "prejudice" the proper provision of primary medical services, pharmaceutical services or local pharmaceutical services.