A PETITION bearing 41 signatures against a Matchborough pub's plans to extend opening hours has been dismissed as "too easy and unfair".

And the Wild Goose pub's application to stay open until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and other specified dates was given the go-ahead last week at a Redditch Council licensing sub-committee.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Patrick Maguire, of Grendon Close, said he was horrified by the prospect of more "shouting, swearing and smashed bottles".

Mr Maguire, who lives opposite the pub, said he was regularly woken up by drunken revellers walking past his home and cars coming to and from the pub.

He added: "It's bad enough already and can only get worse. People who signed this petition have had enough."

But the pub's legal representative, Andrew Davidson, said: "This is not a proper objection. A petition is just too easy and unfair."

He added Mr Maguire had voiced personal objections and his words could not be representative of all those signing the petition.

He said: "Other estates are far removed from the pub and couldn't be affected by noise in the same way as Mr Maguire."

Mr Davidson admitted the pub was a "fairly undesirable" place before the current manager took over 12 months ago.

But he added: "It has since seen a face-lift. Quite a number of trouble makers have been barred for life and the manager is trying to root out bad apples".

The application was granted with extra conditions, including displaying notices at all exits and asking the disco DJ to tell patrons to be quiet when leaving.

Speakers will be contained inside the building and windows and doors will be shut while music is playing.

Committee chairman Antonia Pulsford advised residents to report any future anti-social incidents to the council's Environmental Department or to the police.

New licensing laws come into force from November 24.