EXTENDED opening hours at a North Yorkshire market town pub would damage nearby businesses and deprive residents of sleep, it was claimed yesterday.

The Bolton Arms, in Leyburn, wants to open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and midnight on all other days, plus an extra hour on bank holidays.

An application has been submitted to Richmondshire District Council and councillors will make a decision tomorrow.

A local guest house has objected to the application saying it would increase noise and disturbance for guests.

Paula and David Burke, who run The Haven bed and breakfast directly opposite the pub, said in a letter to the council: "Our main issues are with noise from discos, noise from people leaving the pub and noise from drinking outside.

"These are all bearable, apart from excessive noise from discos in the bar, within the current proper licensing hours, but we feel The Haven would be severely negatively affected if the extended hours were given the go ahead, and it could even be impossible to continue in business."

Two residents living near the pub have also expressed concern. Mike and Judith Flux, from the adjacent Coach House, said: "We believe that if you were to approve these proposals as they stand we, and anyone else resident in the Coach House, would suffer serious loss of amenity and in particular serious sleep disturbance."

The pub has asked for permission to host bands, discos and karaoke nights until last orders.

But the district council's environment unit is recommending that the music is switched off at 11pm on Mondays to Thursdays, at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and at 10.30pm on Sundays.

Officers also suggest that doors and windows should be kept closed during performances.

A spokesman, for Punch Taverns Plc which owns the Bolton Arms, said: "Any proposed extensions are based on the individual merits of each application.

"We will be putting our case forward at the forthcoming licensing hearing."

The extension will be discussed by the council's licensing sub-committee tomorrow at 10am at Swale House, Richmond.