LICENSING magistrates have been accused of putting a damper on celebrations planned to tie in with a huge free music festival in the North-East.

Two city centre bars will have to close ealrlier than they planned after Sunderland licensing panel only granted a limited extension to opening times on, or prior to, the weekend of May 7 and 8, when the Radio One Big Weekend is being held at Herrington Country Park, near Penshaw Monument.

Venues are planning a series of after-show events featuring some of the DJs performing at the two-day festival.

Liquid and Diva, in Green Terrace, wanted to open until 4am on the Saturday night into the Sunday morning, and to 2am the following morning.

Bar Pure, in Olive Street, sought late night extensions for events on nights building up to the Big Weekend.

Licensing panel chairman Derek Linton said the bench felt the extensions being applied for were "excessive" and cut short the hours sought by both premises.

Bar Pure co-owner Jay Day said events at his premises will now need to be re-scheduled and claimed such restrictions could deter Radio One and others from returning to the city. Liquid and Diva owner Luminar Leisure said it would not be put off staging its after-show party.