AN attempt to overturn a council's refusal to allow a concert by veteran rocker Bruce Springsteen has begun.

The challenge was brought by Lancashire County Cricket Ground, SJM Concerts and Rock Steady Security following Trafford Borough Council's decision to reject the licensing application for the event.

The open air concert was scheduled for May 29 at the cricket ground.

Trafford Magistrates' Court was told on Wednesday that the income derived from concerts was vital to the upgrade of the 146-year-old ground.

Speaking for the concert organisers, Susanna Fitzgerald said: "If the licence is refused it sends a message out to the concert world. Probably they would never get another promoter to come back to promote here. So for the cricket ground it's very important."

More than 50,000 tickets had been sold to fans wanting to see the American singer-songwriter in action at the cricket ground in Manchester.

Organisers face having to refund the tickets after the council rejected the licensing application following complaints from residents about noise and crowd problems surrounding previous events.

Residents were particularly concerned about anti-social behaviour from fans at last year's concert by Manchester favourites Oasis.

The overall impact on residents was also likely to be greater as the concert was just 24 hours after the Uefa Champions League final due to be held at Manchester United's nearby Old Trafford, according to the council.

Promoter Robert Valentine of SJM, told the court that care had been taken to ensure that residents' complaints had been carefully dealt with and extra security would ensure the same problems would not occur as in previous years.

Bruce Springsteen, known as The Boss, has a mostly middle-aged following, with very well behaved fans, the court was told.

This would be the first time the 52-year-old international star would play in this country for 10 years.