LANCASHIRE Cricket Club chiefs may appeal against a decision to block a concert by American rock star Bruce Springsteen at their Old Trafford ground.

The club had already sold 50,000 tickets for the event on May 29, but Trafford councillors refused to grant it a licence after hearing of neighbouring householders' concerns about possible noise and crowd trouble.

The club said that it had addressed residents' concerns with plans to provide stewards outside their homes, bring in heavy goods vehicles through entrances other than those near homes, increase the number of toilets for fans and bring in more stewards.

Lancashire's Cricket Club's Chief Executive Jim Cumbes, who was at the meeting on Thursday night, said that he was surprised at the decision.

"The presentation from our concert promoters SJM was quite brilliant and answered all the queries set out by the Executive Committee of the Council. There were objections from around 20 local residents but plans had been put in place to alleviate their fears.

"It is a body blow to the finances of the club and would appear to bring to an end the partnership between ourselves and the council which up to a few years ago was moving successfully forward."

Residents raised a petition after two Oasis concerts last September which resulted in unruly behaviour by a large number of fans which caused disturbance and noise.

Organisers of the Bruce Springsteen concert argued that his fans would be older and better behaved.