COUNCILLORS have ignored the advice of a chief constable and allowed a pub to extend its opening hours until 2am.

The Wobbly Goblin, in Park Road, Stockton, has had its application to open an hour longer and increase admission from 200 to 300 people, approved.

Councillors on Stockton Borough Council's licensing committee approved the application against the advice of Cleveland Police Chief Constable Sean Price.

A letter from Cleveland Police legal advisor Marie Nevison on behalf of Mr Price, said the police objected to the application.

Ms Nevison said Stockton Police had received a letter from a parent concerned about underage drinking at the Wobbly Goblin.

She also said that that officers had been called to eight public order incidents at the pub in 12 months, three of which were violent.

On one occasion, police interviewed a doorman whose licence had been revoked.

Chris Coombs, ward borough councillor for Parkfield, objected to the application.

His concern was not directed at the Wobbly Goblin but the potential for disorder in Stockton at closing time.

He said: "I was recently with the police as part of an observation exercise and I was, frankly, appalled by the number of people milling about in that part of town at 2am and 3am. This application would only exacerbate the problem."

The committee decided to grant the application for a six-month trial.

The committee noted that the chief fire officer and Stockton's environmental health officer had no objections and considered that the Wobbly Goblin had not caused any serious problems.

The decision to grant the extension to the licence will be reviewed in the summer.

The Wobbly Goblin has a public entertainment licence, which includes the right to hold striptease nights.