PLANS for a licensed bar at the Abbey College, Malvern Wells, have come under fire from the parish council.

The college, in Wells Road, has applied for to the licensing authorities for permission to sell alcohol, but Malvern Wells Parish Council has lodged an objection to the plan.

Council members are concerned the bar would increase vandalism and nuisance they claim is caused by students.

Jan Bowyer, vice-chairman of the council's planning committee, said: "Local people have endured so much over the last few years and the college will have to show that they can handle the situation they have got before they start adding to it with a bar.

"We hope that things have changed there, but we will need to see evidence of it before the parish council will reconsider the application."

The non-profit-making bar would be solely for the foreign students and staff.

Staff hope it would reduce problems of anti-social behaviour by encouraging students to drink there rather than on the streets.

It would operate with a card system, with each student's consumption recorded by computer and a strict limit set on nightly alcohol consumption. The card system is already used in the canteen.

The items are logged on the pupil's account, which is paid by their parents, and can be accessed by the college principal at any time.

College director Hekmat Kaveh said: "The idea behind the bar is that instead of students going out and buying unlimited bottles of drink, they would be able to have a drink in a controlled environment.

"Drinking would be strictly regulated and we hope it will give older students the opportunity to meet for a sociable drink and practise their English."

The application will be considered by Worcester magistrates on Monday, October 20.