A CAFE bar owner has urged neighbours to stop opposing his entertainment licence.

John Clay, of Bayleys Cafe Bar, Darwen, has applied to renew the licence which allows him to open until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

But some residents from the Belgrave Road area have written to Blackburn with Darwen Council about noise and trouble from people leaving Bayleys..

But Mr Clay said the problems were not being caused by his bar. He said: "We feel the comments are very unfair. We contend with similar problems as them with vandalism of cars and litter but they are not coming from my premises.

Two members of my staff had their wing mirrors kicked off their cars one night by youths walking past and I have door staff who get abuse from kids who have not been in Bayleys.

"We ask for proof of age and don't serve drunk people. When I bought Bayleys 12 months ago it did have a bad reputation but I am wanting to turn that around and want people to give me a chance."

One letter from a resident of Belgrave Road said: "Incidents have happened very late at night, following rowdiness from the premises and have all occurred since this premises was licensed as a so-called cafe bar."

The council's licensing sub-committee will be told on Wednesday that no objections have been put forward by ward councillors or police.