A CITY centre pub was last night given the backing by Worcester City Council to extend its opening hours.

Bushwackers, in Trinity Street, was told by the council's licensing committee to "set an example" for other clubs when it begins opening until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.

The decision was in contrast to last week's ruling when the committee turned down applications for extended opening hours from Tramps, in Angel Place, and Le Mango, in Angel Row.

Those applications were rejected on the grounds that the consequences of the Licensing Act 2003 were not clear enough for the council to acquire sufficient guidance.

However, last night eight councillors on the nine-person committee agreed that the nightspot could extend its hours 30 minutes longer than currently permitted with one abstention.

"We recognise that Bushwackers is not a nightclub in the accepted sense in the city. It differs in size and clientele and doesn't pose the same problems we see elsewhere," said committee chairman, Councillor David Clark.

Coun Clark said he wanted to see the extension act as a test case for the city's other clubs, which are likely to apply for extensions when new licensing laws come in to force next year.

"We have strong concerns about the general situation but we really would like to see you setting an example in the city," he said.

Club co-owner Darren Pinches' solicitor, Jonathan Smith, had earlier stated that Mr Pinches was altering his application to open until 3am on two days, rather than until 4am for the entire week.

Mr Smith said that the club, which holds a maximum of 380 people, wanted to fall in line with the Government's new regulations to encourage staggered leaving times for revellers.

He said the club would serve food, which would not be allowed to be taken from the premises, at an outside barbecue, from 2am, in a bid to entice customers to stay for longer.

It would also play "smooch" music for the final hour of the night at a lower volume than normal to calm revellers. Alcohol sales will not be allowed beyond the current 2am cut-off point.

Sgt Peter Hughes told councillors that the extension "would not have a detrimental impact" on the city's policing.

"I don't think this extra half hour will place any greater burden on police," he said.

The committee also heard confirmation that Bamboo nightclub, in Cripplegate Park, had withdrawn its application for six months.

The club wants to see how the council's policy on alcohol licensing develops.