A PUB nestled between a row of houses was granted longer opening hours yesterday, despite opposition from neighbours.

The Prince of Wales, in Front Street, West Auckland, was given an amended licence allowing it to serve alcohol from 10am until 1am seven days a week.

At a meeting of Wear Valley District Council's licensing sub-committee, residents and the village's parish council objected to the changes, which will also allow live and recorded music and entertainment between the same hours.

But a representation from the council's environmental health department was withdrawn after new conditions - including windows and doors being closed after 8pm and the installation of a noise-limiting device - were proposed by Admiral Taverns, which owns the pub.

Following a lengthy adjournment to the hearing, police also withdrew complaints based on the potential for crime and disorder and public nuisance, after Admiral's barrister, Sarah Clover, said that they were inadmissible due to lack of specific evidence.

Hazel Charlton, speaking on behalf of West Auckland Parish Council, said: "We are very concerned we have a lot of anti-social behaviour within the village and have had a lot of problems with the pub in the past."

Residents also voiced their concerns about the noise generated, both inside and outside the building, as people drink and smoke into the early hours.

Ms Clover insisted that the pub - which is undergoing an extensive refurbishment - would not become an "all-night rave house," but faced competition from the village's other pubs and needed to adapt to contend with the impending smoking ban.

She said: "It's a community pub and the residents are part of the community, so we take on board their concerns. The problem here is noise, we concede.

"But if you cannot hear the noise, the problem is solved. The proposals will solve the problem."

But she added: "There are certain things we can't do. We can't deal with issues to do with people's behaviour when they are away from the premises."

Later that day, The Earl of Warwick pub, in Chapel Street, West Auckland, was also given permission to extend its opening hours. A licence was granted for it to remain open from 9am to 1.30am between Sunday and Thursday, and 9am to 2.30am on Friday and Saturdays.