A PUB has withdrawn its bid to stay open into the early hours in the face of objections from residents and the police.

Regent Inns, owner of the Walkabout Australian theme bar in the former Robins Cinema, in North Road, Durham, wanted to extend its opening hours from 2am to 2.30am Mondays to Saturdays and to 3.30am on Sundays preceding bank holidays.

It also wanted permission to negotiate its opening hours with the police on up to 25 other occasions, including Australia Day, The Queen's official birthday and American Independence Day.

Residents who fought to prevent the pub opening in the first place lodged objections and were backed by the police and the City of Durham Trust.

They said it would increase the problems of alcohol-fuelled violence, noise, nuisance and anti-social behaviour and stretch police resources.

The extension of hours was contained in Regent Inns' application for the new-style licence that all licensed premises must obtain from their local council.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "Regent has become aware recently of a number of concerns raised by local residents and the police and Regent would like more time to discuss these concerns in relation to the proposed variation to its existing license before it goes ahead with its application.

"There has not been the time to do this before the application hearing this week and Regent wishes to ensure that it has fully taken account of the concerns raised by these parties and to discuss with them how these might be addressed.

"Regent believes that it enjoys a good relationship with the local police and residents and would now like more time to discuss with them all of the concerns they have and how these could be addressed.''

Roger Cornwell, chairman of the City of Durham Trust, welcomed the firm's decision although he said he expected it to re-apply for extended hours once it had obtained a licence for its existing hours.

He said the trust had withdrawn its objection to the licence application as it did not contain the bid for regular longer hours.

It did not object to an application to seek later opening on 12 occasions a year with the agreement of police under the Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines.