THE licensee of a nightclub has been refused a personal licence following objections from North Yorkshire Police.

Keith William McCalmont unsuccessfully applied for a personal licence.

Mr McCalmont is the licensee for Monty's Night Club, North Street, Ripon.

His application for a personal licence was rejected by Harrogate Borough Council's newly-established licensing sub-committee.

Under licensing rules applicants must be granted a licence if there have been no objections from the police.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has recommended to licensing committees that when police object, refusal should be the normal course of action.

That is unless there are exceptional and compelling circumstances which justifies granting the application.

Until recently, licensing issues were dealt with at magistrates' courts.

But the responsibility has now been transferred to councils.

It was the first time the Harrogate licensing sub committee had refused a personal licence application.

Under new laws, licensees must have a personal licence as well as the venue holding a premises licence.