AN Alcester pub has been given the go-ahead to extend its opening hours, despite residents' complaints of "swearing, fighting and arguing" into the early hours.

Permission has been granted for the Turk's Head pub on High Street to stay open until 2am after an application to vary a premises license was approved by Stratford Council's licensing committee last Thursday.

Maltmill Lane Tenants' Association secretary, Anthony Puttnam, objected to the proposal on behalf of the sheltered housing residents and submitted a petition bearing 23 residents' names.

In a letter for the committee, Mr Puttnam said extended opening hours would be "intolerable" for the nearby sheltered housing residents who already suffered "swearing, fighting and arguing" until 2 or 3am during the weekend.

He added mobility scooters had been stolen from the Maltmill Lane complex and a number of residents had suffered vandalism to their properties.

Conditions have been put in place to ensure noise is inaudible to any nearby homes after 11pm and outdoor entertainment is restricted to acoustic performances that finish by 9pm.

Background music will not be allowed outside and drinking outdoors and re-entry are not permitted after 11pm.

But Alcester Town councillor Chris Gough, of the adjacent Church Street, said the situation would only worsen, despite the conditions.

"It's going to be chaotic.

"People will just drink for longer periods of time and will spill out onto the streets later on and in a worse condition," he said.

"My only hope is to appeal against the decision when the new laws come into force."

The Turks Head was unavailable for comment as the Chronicle went to press.