CONTROVERSIAL plans to have discos and live bands at a Stourport wine bar have been given the go-ahead in spite of protests from neighbours.

The owner of the bar must first fit sound insulation and CCTV at his York Street premises, however.

Neighbours of Cokey's Wine Bar say they already suffer damage to their properties from drinkers.

There has been abusive and anti-social behaviour and smashed glasses on private land at the back of the bar as revellers spill out on to the area, particularly in the summer, they claim.

They are also concerned about the additional noise the discos and live music, going on into the early hours, would cause.

A letter to members of the licensing committee of Wyre Forest District Council from one neighbour said: "Extending the current trading hours of these premises causes us great concern. Some of us do work weekends."

She added noise was already a problem for her, coming out of vents on the side of the building.

Although the wine bar had only recently been taken over by Michael Crump, bringing about some improvement, residents were still concerned about the new plans, she added.

Although a petition was signed by seven neighbours in protest, Mr Crump was given a provisional public entertainment licence to hold the discos, live music and karaoke evenings - the first time music events had been held at the wine bar - by the licensing committee at its meeting on Monday evening.

This included extending the opening times until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday. Currently, the wine bar closes at 11pm on week nights and 10.30pm on Sundays.

A condition of the licence is that Mr Crump fits a sound insulation system including an electronic noise-limiting device and a CCTV system at the bar.

A spokesman for planning, health and environment at the district council said this work would need to be carried out before Mr Crump was given full permission to go ahead with the events.