COMMUNITY wardens are to meet local people who oppose plans by a pub to hold music nights.

The Wheatsheaf pub in Yarm Road, Darlington, applied to Darlington Borough Council to extend its hours at weekends until 2am.

People living in Lynton Gardens and Hewitson Road presented a petition to the council objecting to the plan, stating that it would lead to increased noise and litter problems.

The application has been withdrawn, but the pub is hoping to obtain a music entertainment licence so it can hold band nights during normal licencing hours.

Community wardens are to contact every objector in the area to inform them of the change in the application and to find out their views on the new proposal.

A group of residents have started a new petition opposing the revised application and have gathered 180 names.

A council spokeswoman said: "We believe that residents are upset about this, so community wardens are contacting everyone who objected to the proposal and will be updating them on what is happening and they will talk through the revised plans. Residents do not need to have another petition."

The pub has also applied for permission to carry out a complete refurbishment of the pub.

The work will involve building a dance floor and removing a conservatory overlooking the car park.

The application will be heard at a planning meeting at the town hall on May 10.

The entertainment licence will go before councillors on May 22.