MORE than 20 people have signed a petition to try to stop a pub from staying open later and having singers performing until midnight.

Neighbours say they don't want a late night repeat of an Elvis impersonator, whose voice they heard recently booming from the Blue Bell, in Barnard Castle.

The pub closes at 11pm every night but the partners who run it, Paul Luscombe and Colin Howe, are applying to stay open until midnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The objectors, who live nearby in Thorngate and Bridgegate, have sent a petition along with some individual letters to Teesdale District Council.

Resident David Hume wrote: "In recent times, we have experienced an Elvis performer, and frankly I do not wish to hear every verse in my front living area as was the experience then."

Another resident said the later hours would attract customers from other parts of the town and could lead to unruly behaviour.

But Mr Howe said: "People are making a great fuss about our request, but we are sure it won't do the local residents any harm."

The application, and the objections, will be heard by Teesdale District Council's licensing sub-committee on Thursday.