A THEME pub is offering to provide a minibus for customers if it is allowed to serve drinks later.

The 700-capacity Walkabout Australian bar, in the former Robins Cinema, North Road, Durham, has won an extension to its public entertainment licence despite residents' objections.

Regent Inns, the company that opened the nightspot last summer, said transport could be laid on if it was given a drinks licence.

Problems caused by revellers waiting for taxis in the early hours have been causing concern, and the company funded buses for six months, but ended the service because they were not used enough.

A company spokeswoman said: "Should the liquor licence be offered, it is anticipated that the minibus service would come into effect immediately. It would only be available to Walkabout customers."

Walkabout's application to close at 2am Mondays to Saturdays instead of 1am was approved by the city council. It will close at midnight on Sundays. The drinks licence application, to cover the same hours, will be heard soon.

Yates's Wine Lodge won an entertainment licence extension on Sundays, from 11pm to 12.30am.