A PUB in a residential area of Worcester will extend its opening hours from November, despite neighbours' concerns over noise levels.

The Northwick Arms, in Vine Street, was given permission to open for an extra half-an-hour on Mondays to Thursdays, and Sundays, and an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays. It can also stay open until 12.30am on Christmas Day - for Christmas Eve drinkers - as well as hold 12 karaoke nights a year.

However, at a licensing sub-committee in Worc-ester yesterday, extra hours for Bank Holidays were turned down and conditions were imposed on the extensions.

The Northwick pub's landlord, Keith Rickards, must keep doors closed to cut down on noise and set up a complaints procedure for nearby residents.

"I go outside regularly if we have live music to make sure it is at an acceptable level," he said, adding that the pub attracted mainly middle-aged drinkers and he had only had one complaint.

"I am not trying to attract youngsters and any troublemakers that do come to the pub will be told to leave."

At the meeting, held in Marks & Spencer's training room because of a lack of water and space at the Guildhall, residents objected to potential 'noise and nuisance' from the pub. Under the new conditions, the pub can:

l Play music and serve alcohol until 11.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays.

l Play music until 11.30pm and serve alcohol until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Christmas Eve.

l Play music until 11pm and serve alcohol until 11.30pm on Sundays.

It can also stay open for an extra half-an-hour after last orders.

Don Roberts, who lives in Union Place, described the pub as 'like a fairground' at weekends already. "In the summer, when people sit on the benches at the front, there is laughing and swearing until late at night," he said.

"When taxis turn up to pick people up the drivers don't go in - they just hoot the horn outside.

"I can never go to bed before closing time and I can certainly never open my bedroom windows."

Rosaline Clayton, speaking on behalf of her mother who also lives in Union Place, shared his concerns. "Already my mother has found bags and bottles in her garden where they have been thrown over the fence, and there are often adults urinating in public outside.

"Do the local residents not have a right to peace?"