A MALVERN Link pub has been given the go-ahead to open for longer, despite opposition from neighbours.

The Express Inn, Quest Hills Road, can now open from 8.30am to midnight on Sunday-Thursday, and until 12.30am on Friday and Saturday. The new hours come into force on November 24.

Landlord Andy Mapp originally applied to stay open until 2am every night, but had changed that to 1am after consultation with police.

A district council hearing was held on Wednesday because objections had been received from 16 households.

At the hearing, residents spoke about noise, vandalism and disorder in the area. But no-one from the police turned up.

Mark Templeton said: "What we appear to be getting here is a night club by stealth," he said.

Jan Dean said the noise was causing stress to neighbours.

However, Rita Knowles spoke up for the pub, saying it was a friendly and safe place to go.

After the meeting, Mr Mapp said: "I'm a bit disappointed at the way I've been singled out. Some of the objectors admitted they couldn't say the vandalism was done by people who'd been in my pub."

He said police had only been called out twice in the 13 months he had been running the Express.

"I just want to run an orderly family-oriented pub," he said.

Mr Mapp said he wanted to revive Malvern Pubwatch, so landlords could warn each other of troublesome customers.

"I'd like to hear from anyone interested," he said.

n District council licensing officer Phil Browning said the deadline for all licensing applications was next Saturday, September 24.

He said: "Licensed premises, and this includes village halls with public entertainment licenses, have to have their application in by then, or they risk not being licensed after November 24."