LICENSING chiefs have refused a pub's plan to stay open longer.

It is the first time an application for extended opening hours under the new 24-hour opening legislation has been refused in Bolton.

The Spread Eagle pub, in Bromley Cross, will not be allowed to open beyond the current time of 11pm.

The licensee wanted to extend opening hours to midnight from Sunday to Thursday and to 1am on Friday and Saturday.

It was refused by a sub-committee of Bolton Council's main licensing committee - marking a huge victory for residents opposed to the plan.

Neighbours had written to licensing bosses giving noise pollution, parking problems, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and broken glass as reasons for their opposition.

Vice-chairman of the licensing committee, Cllr Andy Morgan, said: "We listened to objectors' comments and took them into account when we made our decision.

"We have been criticised for not listening, but we are."

He said he wanted all residents to actively participate in licensing issues.

"Unless we have their views, we can't take them into account," he said."

A total of 763 applications under the new licensing laws have been received by the licensing committee. All licensed premises have had to re-apply, whether or not they wantec to change their opening hours.

Of the applications, 741 were approved by council officers and 22 are being decided at hearings. Before The Spread Eagle application, none had been refused.

An objector to the Bromley Cross pub's plans, who wrote to the licensing committee, saying: "This is an area of closely knit, mostly terrace houses, within close proximity of the pub. Having a pub with later opening hours will encourage later drinking and later leaving, reducing the hours of sleep for those who have to leave early the following morning."

Another added: "To extend the licensing hours we feel will have a detrimental affect on our lives.

"If these hours were put in place, it will create, we feel, a great disturbance to us late at night and will almost give it night club status."

Licensee Paul Duckworth said: "I feel the decision is unjust and we will be appealing. We have invested a lot of money and assured local residents there will be no discos or karaoke."