PLANS for a trio of Worcester nightspots to open to 4am in the morning has been blasted by city residents fearing sleepless nights.

Bushwackers, in St Nicholas Street, which has 2am licensing from Monday to Saturday, is applying to open until 4am, while Tramps, in Angel Place, and Le Mango, in Angel Row have applied to stay open until 2am on Sundays, and 4am on bank holiday weekends.

And Le Mango has also applied to stay open an hour later - from 1.30am to 2.30am - from Monday to Thursday nights.

Bamboo, in Tybridge Street, has a 4am licence from Monday to Saturday but also wants to stay open until two o'clock on Sunday mornings.

The proposals are to be discussed by Worcester City Council's licensing committee next Wednesday, but the news has met fierce opposition.

Sheila Weaver, of Warmstry Court, Quay Street, said she was kept awake by noise from late-night revellers and anticipated it growing worse.

"We have an awful lot of trouble with people coming from clubs at night. I can't have my windows open for the noise," she said.

"It's ridiculous. This is supposed to be a retirement area here. It seems to me the whole place has turned into a play area.

"It used to be so lovely, but it's certainly not a peaceful place to live any more."

Pensioner Victor Maund, of Netherton Lane, said he had written several letters of complaint to the city council about the clubs.

"My opinion is they are a ****** nuisance," the 86-year-old said.

"I've complained about the nightclubs time after time, particularly about the noise keeping me awake. But what can you do?"

Sgt Pete Hughes, of Worcester police, said the licensing committee would look at the proposals and balance developing the city's night-time economy with residents' needs.

"Extended hours, in themselves, may not generate an increase in criminal activity at this particular time as current liquor licensing laws control the hours that alcohol can be supplied," he added.