RESIDENTS living near Stockton's Arc claim their lives are being disrupted by late-night noise from the arts centre.

Officials at the centre have applied for its entertainment licence to be renewed, but people in the area fear their lives will continue to be blighted by noise.

The Arc is open seven days a week and has a late-night student event every Wednesday, and other events throughout the week.

Denise Brown, who lives opposite the Arc, is hoping it will not be given permission to continue its current level of events.

She said: "There have been problems with noise ever since the Arc was built.

"There are children living in this street who have to get up for school and people who have to work.

"Sometimes events do not finish until 2am, and the noise when people are leaving it is unbelievable. It is just like a football match.

"The noise happens every Wednesday night and so the kids know they are going to be tired for school on Thursday - it is not fair."

Residents are also concerned about the level of the music inside the club, which they claim they can hear inside their homes even with the windows closed.

Mrs Brown said: "We have been disturbed by fire alarms at the club, when a huge siren blares out and they have to evacuate everyone on to the street outside our homes.

"This sort of venue should not be open so close to where people are living."

The residents have signed a petition against the renewal of the late-night entertainment licence, which they have sent to Stockton Borough Council.

Last year, people living in Bright Street complained to the council about noise from contractors working on the new Wellington Square shopping development, which is now almost complete.

A spokeswoman for Arc confirmed that the management had applied to renew its entertainment licence, so popular events like the student night could go ahead on a regular basis.