POLICE are attempting to block a pub's plans for extended opening amid claims that a bouncer armed himself with a baseball bat.

Cleveland Police have lodged an objection to an application by the Empire, in Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, for the renewal and variation of its public entertainment licence.

It wants to extend its opening hours from noon to 12.30am on Sundays and until 3am on June 1 and September 28.

In a letter to Middlesbrough Borough Council's licensing committee, licensing officer Revis Phillips said: "The police have concerns with regard to the application and the applicant himself.

"Over recent months, the premises' door supervisors have shown themselves to be unprofessional while dealing with customers and incidents, and this behaviour has led to some serious incidents where weapons have been utilised by them."

The letter outlines an incident on April 12, when the police, fire and ambulance services were called to deal with overcrowding outside the pub.

PC Phillips said: "Customers waiting to enter the premises were physically being crushed by the volume of persons attempting to get in.

"The incident resulted in a number of persons receiving treatment for breathing difficulties and collapsed persons being taken to hospital for treatment."

Other complaints include doormen not having appropriate badges and extended hours putting extra pressure on police.

A report compiled for the licensing committee said applicant Ashley Wem had been questioned by the principal licensing officer about the objections.

In reference to the use of weapons, the report said: "He stated that his door staff has seen an incident in which people had broken into a car.

"One doorman who plays baseball had his bat in his car and used it to smash the windscreen of the stolen car to prevent it from being driven."

Referring to the overcrowding incident, Mr Wem told the officer the premises had been "completely taken by surprise by these problems".

The report said: "The applicant reiterated his desire to work with the police and council to ensure compliance with his licence and he asks members to consider his applications favourably."