COUNCILLORS have granted a 3am public entertainment licence for music and dancing at the Cross Keys Hotel in Burnley town centre despite expressing concern at the trend for longer licensing hours.

It will extend the licence by two hours on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Sunday licence for music only has also been granted until midnight instead of 10.30pm.

Concern at the general trend of longer licensing hours was expressed by members of the licensing sub-committee.

Coun Granville Lord said he found it strange that late night drinking was being blame for violence and other problems in the town centre but that licences were being extended without objection.

He thought it contradictory and illogical that police did not put in any objections.

Coun Tony Lambert said police used to attend licensing meetings often providing information of which the members were not previously aware.

Coun Roger Frost said he was surprised that neither the police nor fire and rescue service had observations to make on the various applications for longer hours.

The sub-committee agreed to ask police to attend future meetings.

Cross Keys owner Ian Snowden said they needed the extension to compete with opposition in the town centre.

Churchills, Bank Parade, Burnley, was granted a public entertainment licence until 2am on Friday and Saturday and BB Eleven, Coal Street, Burnley, was granted a licence until 1am Monday to Saturday.