PLANS to extend drink licensing hours in Guisborough have received a setback.

On Wednesday, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's licensing committee met to discuss an application by Bakers, of Westgate, to extend its opening hours.

The bar bistro wanted to stay open until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

It had already won an appeal for a temporary trial to stay open until 1am until October 31, but needed an entertainment and special hours licence to enable it to stay open later.

However, police were concerned at what would effectively be Guisborough's first nightclub, setting a trend in the town for later opening hours.

Officers claimed that because all the pubs now close at 11pm, any trouble occurs between 11pm and midnight.

They said if the application was granted it would merely stretch out the time for trouble-makers and drunks.

Solicitor Clive Harvard, for the club, told the committee the proposal offered an attractive proposition to people mainly aged between 25 and 30.

"To be able to go out, have a meal, and if you were minded, later to go and have a drink at the bar, or perhaps have a dance - where do you find that sort of facility in Guisborough? This is not going to be a nightclub, but Baker's wants to be able to provide a complete range of entertainment."

Margaret Longbotham, who owns property next to Bakers, said she objected because of the noise that would be generated.

"The noise comes through the vent and through the wall and into our enclosed garden. The noise is allegedly background noise at the moment. What will it be like when it is proper entertainment?"

Councillors voiced fears over the effect on the amenity of the area and the trend it might set, and refused the application.

Mr Harvard said his clients were bitterly disappointed at the outcome and will be meeting next week to discuss their next move.

He said: "It seems unfair and unreasonable to prefer to proceed on the basis of untested apprehension and to deny everybody the opportunity of gathering hard evidence so they could make a more informed judgement."