LANCASTER'S Liquid Nightclub has been given a reprieve by councillors and will be allowed to continue trading until 2am.

At a special meeting on Monday, members heard that Liquid had brought in a number of measures since being rapped by the police for increased levels of violence and under-age drinking.

Club bosses were stunned when the licensing committee decided to limit Liquid's public entertainment licence to 1am following a three day hearing in January.

But rather than go through another expensive licensing hearing, Liquid's solicitor, Jeremy Allen, argued that it was in everyone's interest to hear of the "significant progress" that had been made.

Mr Allen explained that work to build a new side exit was near completion, three extra staff had been employed to patrol outside the club, photo IDs had been introduced to cut down on under-age drinkers, an extra 36 CCTV security cameras had been installed and a new electronic counting system introduced to check the exact number of revellers.

Other initiatives include making the club 'over19s' only and occasionally bringing in a sniffer dog to check for drugs.

A new manager at the nightclub on North Road has also improved relations with with police, the council and members of the local Crime Safety Partnership. Dave Jones, Liquid's new general manager said: "We have worked very hard over the last few months to address the authority's concerns about Liquid. I'm delighted that the licensing sub committee have recognized this, and Luminar's commitment to Lancaster, with their decision to continue our 2am licence. It was particularly gratifying for me and the rest of Liquid's management team to be specifically praised for the advances we have made."

He added: "I look forward to the continuing development of, what I believe is, Lancaster's best and busiest venue."

The licensing committee's decision to allow trading unitl 2am will remain effective for the remainder of the current licence, which is due for renewal in August. The renewal of the licence, and any conditions to be attached, will be considered by the sub-committee which has asked the police to provide up-to-date figures of incidents in North Road.