A shopkeeper has overturned a ban on selling Britain's most popular lager.

Samir Philips, of The Border Store, Western Road, Hove, claimed the condition on his licence stopping him selling beers above five per cent was wrecking his business.

It effectively ruled out any sales of premium lagers, including Stella Artois - the market leading brand in the UK and the shop's best-selling lager.

Mr Philips took Brighton and Hove City Council to court to overturn the ruling, imposed when he applied for a round-the-clock alcohol licence last September under new drink laws.

It is the only shop in Brighton and Hove with a council-imposed restriction on the sale of strong beers. The condition was designed to stop lagers such as Carlsberg Special Brew and Tenents Super being sold to street drinkers congregating in nearby Norfolk Square.

Mr Philips told The Argus before the magistrates' court hearing: "It is outrageous and something I never agreed to.

"I've lost maybe half of my trade by not being able to sell Stella. There are 27 other off-licences in Western Road who all sell Stella and I am the only one who was singled out.

"I have no interest in selling strong beers to the street drinkers but there is no way Stella falls into that category."

Mr Philips, 33, said he was a victim of his own good will because he had volunteered to stop selling super-strength beers two years ago to help police in their successful efforts to rid Norfolk Square of nuisance drinkers.

He said: "I wanted to help clean up the area so was shocked when the council imposed the ban despite my good will."

The matter was dealt with by a settlement between Mr Philips and the city council which was rubber-stamped by magistrates.

A city council spokeswoman said: "We have reached a compromise which gives the shop a little more flexibility in the type of beer it can stock but which still prevents the sale of very strong lagers."

Bill Cowell, from the East Brunswick residents Association, campaigned against the store being able to sell strong lagers late at night.

He said: "It was to be expected. The council wants people to drink more as is obvious from they way they grant all the extensions to pub hours.

"The bill for treating all the drink-related problems is paid for by central Government from NHS funds so why should they worry?"

Mr Philips had wanted 24-hour opening but was given a 2am limit by the council.

In January councillors granted a 6am licence to the nearby St George's Store off-licence, also in Western Road, despite concerns expressed by Sussex Police.

Officers wanted a ban on selling beers, lagers or ciders stronger than 5.9 per cent but the condition was not imposed by the council.