OUTRAGED residents of Poulton oppose the renewal of licences for the town's nightclubs and argue it is the irresponsible attitude of licensees that is the problem.

Both The Hub and The Residence nightclubs are applying for the renewal of their public entertainment licences at a meeting of Wyre Borough Council's Housing and Environmental Services (Licensing) sub-committee tonight (Thursday).

But their applications will be met with strong objections by several residents who say they have had enough of the noise being emitted from the clubs and rowdy behaviour as late night revellers leave and litter the streets.

Harvey and Enid Baxter, of Prudy Hill, explain their objection to renewing The Residence's licence: "Since the completion of the building extension approximately five months ago, and the subsequent alteration of rear fire exit doors, the noise and loud music escaping from these so called sound-proofed doors -- especially on Friday and Saturday nights -- is causing great distress to the residents of Prudy Hill.

"The proprietor of The Residence knew of the problem with the sound proofing on the said doors but chose to ignore our complaint. "Furthermore, fighting, vandalism, broken glass and the use of the grass verge as a public toilet is totally unacceptable."

John Pickering, also of Prudy Hill, states: "The management has knowingly allowed music to escape from these doors. Knowing he had the problem he should have rectified it or reduced the sound of the music level until it had been rectified.

"We do not think that The Residence management by their past and continuing performance are fit to hold or operate the said licence."

Eric and Noreen Curwen, of Blackpool Old Road, Poulton, also report similar problems from The Hub nightclub and wrote both to Lancashire's Chief Constable and the council with objecting letters explaining: "The quality of life for us and, we assume, other residents has deteriorated rapidly. Each weekend we are awoken from midnight and can be kept awake until 4am.

"There is screaming and shouting and foul and abusive language. Plants from tubs have been uprooted outside the Teanlowe and there was vomit on the pavements this morning (November 18)."

Wyre Borough Council leader Pat Catlow was invited to comment on the issue of extending the licences but declined for legal reasons relating to the meeting taking place tonight.

However she did say: "I do have sympathy with the residents around Poulton and I live in this town, too, and will grow old here. At the public meeting I sat and listened to what people had to say and have taken their comments on board." Councillor Harry Taylor said: "The problem is not with the clubs themselves. The police tell me The Hub is one of the best run clubs in the area.

"We need a police presence at both club exits at closing time, but the problem is they have to prioritise and cannot always do this."

The increasing late night rowdy and violent behaviour was also highlighted by fearful Poulton residents at a public meeting called by Hilton Dawson last month. Since then new legislation has been passed that will enable the police to close for a period of 24 hours any licensed premises which continue to allow violence or excessive noise to occur.

But Inspector Phil Anderton, at Poulton Police Station, thinks the police already have adequate methods of dealing with this type of problem in the area.

He told The Citizen: "We would welcome any increased powers to deal with disorder issues outside a licensed premises or disorder in general.

"However, I would have a preference for working with licensees as we currently do, rather than have to resort to this legislation to achieve our objectives."