A VILLAGE pub has been granted permission to stay open until the early hours on Friday and Saturday nights despite objections from nearby residents.

The Waterside Bar and Restaurant in Summerseat has had its public entertainments licence renewed for a year and its hours extended until 1am on Saturdays and Sundays.

The licence was granted following a six-month trial period where the licensee, Mr Nick Hogan, was granted a provisional licence to operate the extended hours earlier this year.

Neighbours objected to the application on the grounds of noise, litter and the large number of vehicles driving through the village by people visiting the pub.

A petition of 30 names against the extension of the hours was also submitted to the licensing and safety panel committee responsible for approving or rejecting the application.

But, a number of nearby residents supported the application, describing the bar as a "fantastic local facility" and a "safe and popular venue".

Mr Hogan said: "I am pleased but concerned that it came down to such a close call with four councillors voting for and four against, with the chairman having the casting vote. The council officers recommended that the licence should be given and the police had no objections.

"We have bent over backwards and have gone to considerable expense to address the concerns of the community by installing CCTV outside the premises and also voluntarily imposing the condition that after 10.30pm we will not admit any more customers and that, unless dining, under-21s will not be permitted.

"This is a community facility and we take our responsibilities very seriously."

He added: "There were concerns about noise, but unbeknown to us the council was actually monitoring the noise levels and did not record any excessive noise."