THE OWNERS of a Marlow pub have pleaded with the council to let them keep its car park foodlights to ensure the safety of customers.

McMullen and Sons, which owns the Britannia on Little Marlow Road, has applied to Wycombe District Council to retain two five-metre high lamps to the rear of the pub.

The lights were installed over a year ago after complaints about the lack of light in the car park, and the pub company are now requesting retrospective permission to keep the lights up.

In a letter to the council, the company said: "The lampposts were carefully positioned at the back of the car park and directed towards the public house so not to disturb our neighbours.

"We value our customers’ safety and the protection of their property very highly, and would therefore ask that this application be viewed sympathetically."

The Britannia reopened in November 2012 following a £650,000 refit. McMullen also operates Baroosh on the High Street.

WDC are expected to rule on the proposal next month.