POLICE in Darlington say the licensee of a town centre bar who is trying to get its opening hours extended has already breached regulations.

John Hall, licensee of Route 66, in King Street, wants the bar to stay open until 2am from Mondays to Saturdays and until 12.30am on Sundays.

But police say Mr Hall breached his public entertainment licence when he did not have doorstaff on duty one evening last month.

In a letter of objection to Darlington Borough Council's licensing committee, Chief Inspector Graham Hall said that on January 21 police were twice called to the premises.

"Mr Hall requested assistance with a group of persons outside his premises who were trying to get in and where an assault was taking place," he said.

"Officers on arrival noted that no doorstaff were on duty and in their estimation over 100 persons were in the premises.

"Mr Hall again had to request police assistance that night and used the services of a doorman who had not been on duty but happened to be in the establishment."

He said that when asked about the lack of doorstaff, Mr Hall said it was a cost-saving exercise.

Ch Insp Hall said extra hours at Route 66 would increase the potential for drink-related disorder and place an additional strain on police resources.

He has also objected to an application by Stadia, in Duke Street, to extend its hours until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

He said later opening would increase the potential for nuisance to residents of Duke Street, Larchfield Street, East Raby Street, Raby Street and Napier Street.

Police figures show that public disturbances in Darlington's Central ward rose last year from 69 a year to 130. More than 73 per cent of assaults in the ward in 2002 and 2003 were alcohol-related.

Mr Hall was unavailable for comment yesterday.

The applications will be decided at a meeting of the licensing committee tomorrow.