AN ATTEMPT by two pubs in Stockton town centre to extend their opening hours is being opposed by police.

Traders, in Blue Post Yard, and Yates, in the High Street, have applied to Stockton Borough Council to be allowed to open later.

Yates wants to open to midnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Traders wants to open from 11am until midnight from Monday to Saturday.

In a letter to the licensing officer, a spokesman for Cleveland Police said they believed the Traders application had been made in response to other bars extending their opening hours.

The spokesman said: "The granting of these applications leads to an upward spiral of late-night premises, competing for trade and potentially all contributing to the policing difficulties."

In a separate letter, Yates's application is criticised for encouraging other pubs to apply for longer drinking and entertainment licences.

The spokesman also questioned the level of disturbance the extended hours would cause.

The police spokesman added: "These premises are within 100 yards of the junction of the High Street and Yarm Lane. The police regard that area as the major site for public disorder within Stockton.

"The police feel that any extension to this public entertainment licence will have the potential to exacerbate the problems already experienced in policing this area."

The council will consider the applications next Tuesday