A BID by a pub to extend its opening hours has come up against objections from an unlikely quarter - students.

In a turn-around of the usual state of affairs, students were the main objectors to a bid by the Hog's Head pub in Durham to remain open until midnight six days a week.

The pub had applied for a Public Entertainment Licence, which would allow it to hold discos and live bands and also stay open later.

But students living in university accommodation which backs on to the venue in Saddler Street, argued it would prevent them from sleeping and studying.

At Durham City Council's licensing panel meeting last Friday, councillors granted the pub a probationary six month entertainment licence, which would apply until 11pm Monday to Thursday and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. At Friday's hearing at the Town Hall, the panel heard from Professor Maurice Tucker, Master of University College, Durham, who said there were 120 students, mostly in their first year, living immediately behind the pub.

Prof Tucker said they needed quiet in the evenings to study and sleep. He said since the accommodation block was built in 1970, Saddler Street had changed and there were now several restaurants and pubs.

He said: "Students already have to cope with the noise from pubs and restaurants but also early mornings, from 5.30am to 6am, when there are deliveries to pubs and collection of bottles."

Roger Cornwell, of the City of Durham Trust, was also worried about the effect on nearby students, about 20 of whom had sent letters of objection to the council. Mr Cornwell said he was concerned that the application was an excuse to enable the pub serve alcohol until midnight.

Solicitor Michelle Hazelwood, representing the Hogs Head, said the venue only wanted to play live music and hold discos.

She said the pub received its deliveries at about 7am and it was other traders and pubs that had 5.30am collections from private companies. There are road restrictions on HGV deliveries later in the morning.

Miss Hazelwood argued that it would be students who benefited from the licence extension.

She said: "My client can confirm students are returning to their accommodation throughout the night. There is much frivolity and antics involved in being a student. Normally road signs and other items appear in the courtyard outside the block. That's what students do. They have fun and they make noise."