A NEW town centre pub has been given approval to stay open to 4am every day, despite opposition from residents.

Hartlepool Borough Council members gave the go-ahead for 1st Leisure to have a full licence at its planned premises in the town's Victoria Road.

It can supply alcohol, provide live and recorded music, allow dancing and show films and live sporting events from Monday to Sunday, between 10am and 4am.

Residents complained that there were already many bars and clubs in the area and said it could lead to disturbance and nuisance, affecting their quality of life.

David Berry, chairman of the Wharton and Errol Street Area Residents' Association, said: "Late-night revellers leaving the premises may cause a disturbance in and around the area, shouting, swearing, urinating, banging car doors, vomiting, vandalism to homes and vehicles, etc. This behaviour causes stress and lowers our quality of life."

He said residents were prepared to withdraw their objections provided the bar was closed on or before midnight.

Despite a 60-name petition, councillors on the licensing sub-committee approved the application.

Chairman Councillor Geoff Lilley said the validity of the petition was questioned because it referred to all pubs in the area staying open to 4am, and was not specific to the one planned by 1st Leisure.

Speaking personally, he said: "We had two written objections and the petition, but the validity of the petition was called into question because 1st Leisure's name had just been added to it, and no one turned up to the meeting to object.

"We asked public protection officers what evidence there was for anti-social behaviour since the introduction of 4am closing, and, unfortunately, they said there was none.

"The police also did not object, so, based on the evidence we had, we had no legal grounds to turn it down."

Coun Lilley said only the ground floor of the pub would be developed, for a maximum 300 customers, as opposed to the original plans of 900.

No one at 1st Leisure was available for comment.