RESIDENTS in Hartlepool are objecting to a nightspot's application to extend its opening hours for public entertainment.

Fears have been raised that another late-night bar in the centre would increase the number of street brawls.

But managers at The Grand Hotel, on Victoria Road, have defended their application to extend its Ballroom and Basement Bar's public entertainment licence until 2am on weekdays, and between noon on Sundays and 12.30am Mondays.

Police are objecting to the application. A spokesman said: "There is no need whatsoever for a further late-night liquor outlet in Hartlepool town centre.

"If such an application is granted, it may lead to an increase in public disorder problems within Hartlepool town centre."

Several objectors have written to Hartlepool Borough Council to outline their fears if the application is successful.

One wrote: "We feel there are already insufficient police resources to adequately monitor and control this situation, that the rate of crime and the number of violent incidents and deaths is increasing in a very alarming manner, and that the Grand's proposals serve only to exacerbate this already serious situation."

The council claims the public entertainment licence will not affect any nearby residents with noise pollution.

A spokesman for the Grand Hotel said: "This is not a question of causing more drunkenness in the town.

"The point is it will bring more business in, and that can only be good for Hartlepool.

"We are very careful in the hotel. If someone has obviously had too much to drink then we won't serve them. We also have bouncers on the doors who keep things in order.

"We have also found that people are going out later in the evenings now and want to stay out later, rather than going out early and going home at 11pm. It is the same balance."

The council recently turned down four applications for late-night opening in the town centre, but magistrates overturned their decision.