PLANS to extend the opening hours of a nightclub in Hartlepool look set to be approved despite concerns from residents.

At present, 42nd Street has a licence for music, singing and dancing for Monday to Saturdays, from 11am to 2am, and on Sundays from noon to 2pm and then 7pm to midnight.

However, John Gate, would like to extend the opening hours on a Sunday from noon right through until 12.30am.

The premises has held a licence since 1988, and a report to Hartlepool Borough Council's licensing committee says that there is a history of complaints regarding noise at the club.

It has however, been subject to periodic monitoring and as such there has been no reason for any complaints since last August.

All the pubs and clubs nearby, including The Wesley, Yates, Bar Paris and the Corner House, have licences which terminate at midnight or after.

The report says: "Any decision to refuse this application may be difficult to justify, on grounds of consistency, should the matter go to appeal."

A letter to the council from a group of residents said: "We object to this application because the small and insidious extensions of hours which many public houses are now applying for, will result in a totally deregulated situation where 24-hour drinking would render life in the town centre unbearable for ourselves as residents."

The committee will meet on Wednesday.