THE relationship between University College Worcester and the people of St John's has been uneasy, over the years.

Few residents will have much difficulty recalling the long-running saga of students blocking nearby streets.

Even fewer will have forgotten those times when youngsters have been accused of holding wild parties, playing loud music all day - or even having sex in the street.

Students will often see it another way, though that's not surprising. They're transient people, and many regard Worcester at best as a pleasant stopping-off place.

That's why the move to extend drinking hours in the student bar on Wednesdays and Saturdays - and the manner in which it will be put to the test until next summer - is so important to UCW's growing relationship with its immediate community.

Neighbours may wonder why students would even think about being on the streets well after midnight, looking for somewhere to drink, but that's the culture of this generation as much as it has been for every one since the 60s.

In applying for the bar extension, however - and arguing its advantages so logically - student leaders are to be applauded.

And we welcome the decision to give them six months to prove the point that extending bar hours on those two key days will reduce the risk of disturbing anybody's life in the wider community.

In return, we hope residents will respond with fair and honest comments about the success of the trial, when it comes to be reviewed.