VILLAGERS have clashed with a new pub landlady over late night noise from the Three Tuns at Sadberge.

Objectors to an application by Marie Kenny for a public music entertainment licence said there had been noise going on well into the small hours from music and people leaving during the summer.

A neighbour said the beer garden was about eight feet from her bedroom windows and sleep was impossible, even without music, when entertainment was going on.

But Mrs Kenny denied there had been any such events, except when she projected music from Sky television or DVD films on to a big screen in the pub. She had been unaware she needed an entertainment licence for that.

Darlington Borough Council licensing committee heard that Mrs Kenny had not applied for the transfer of the drinks licence when she arrived at the pub and had only recently obtained a liquor licence.

Lynn Parvin, who lives nearby, said the noise problems started at the beginning of July.

"We feel this is a village pub and we don't need to attract lots of people from outside. If people want karaoke entertainment there are places in the town centre."

Sean Kenny, who runs a pub in Tow Law, said his wife was born in Sadberge and knew what village life was like.

"Playing loud music and getting up everyone's noses is not the name of the game. It is no good if we are going to annoy the hell out of everyone," he said.

Coun Brian Jones said: "I am concerned that there has been a certain amount of negligence with the licences and I am also concerned about what else might happen if the laws of running a pub are ignored - as obviously they have been."

Coun Bill Mowbray said there had been a similar noise-sensitive problem in Middleton St George. He proposed an agreement between the landlady and neighbours on how many functions could be held in a year.

Coun John Vasey pointed out that an outstanding electrical certificate had not been received and it was agreed to defer a decision until that was in council hands.

In the meantime, the chairman, Coun Isabel Hartley, suggested that officials discuss with Mrs Kenny the possibility of occasional licences being issued instead of a full entertainment licence.