REVELLERS in Yarm have been put on notice by a police chief.

"There will be no more night clubs in the town while I am in charge," warned Insp Colin White, who heads Yarm's policing operations.

Insp White issued his tough statement amid a growing row over a bar/grill's plans to stay open until 2am.

The Hide in Fairfax Court wants a public entertainment licence to allow for longer opening hours. But the idea has met with a swell of opposition from town councillors and residents.

They claim Yarm High Street is already busy enough at night and that the peace of householders has to be protected.

Now Cleveland police have added their voice to the chorus of disapproval.

Insp White said he understood The Hide - currently open from 8.30am to 11pm - also wants a change in the hours it can serve food.

"This is a double-edged sword," he said, "and a smoke screen to achieve later opening than other places under the guise of serving food."

He said Hide was well aware of opposition to the scheme and accepted there was little chance they would obtain the licence.

"We don't need another night club in Yarm and that is what it would be," said Insp White. "There are enough complaints already about drinking up to 11pm, never mind 2am.

"And we simply do not have the resources to put more officers into Yarm to police two night clubs.

"We would be faced with large numbers of people falling into the High Street after drinking with all the problems for people living in the area. "There is and has been evidence of trouble with urinating in alleyways, damage and general nuisance due to alcohol.

"That is why I have already put extra patrols on to deal with these concerns."

At present, the Cross Keys has the only late licence in the town centre, able to stay open until 1am or 2am three nights a week.

Insp White said if planners had known how Yarm was to develop, that licence may not have been granted.

"I have heard the arguments that this is all about choices but there are enough options for night-life. We do not need any more," he said.

"A third night club would not be acceptable. It can't be supported."

Insp White said police were not "picking on" Hide. "It is well-run and well-managed. This is not about their ability to control customers inside, it is the fact that those customers go out on to the streets of Yarm and cause problems for people trying to get to sleep.

"We are taking a very strong line here. We can't do anything else. There won't be another night club in Yarm while I am inspector. It is a nice, quaint place and we want to keep it that way."

The town council considered the police response last week. "It looks as though there may be some good thinking on this," said chairman Coun Liz Marsden. Stockton Council is expected to consider the licence bid later this month.

Hide's owner, Howard Eggleston, has not been available for comment.