BOSSES at Sedgefield Racecourse, who applied for a new entertainment licence, handed objectors an olive branch yesterday to secure the permit.

Residents in Sedgefield village objected to aspects of the venue's application to host events with music and to serve alcohol from 10am to 2am, seven days a week.

But when the parties met at Sedgefield Borough Council's licensing committee meeting yesterday, racecourse chiefs reduced the closing hour of the application to 11pm for events outside the main buildings.

The move helped appease objectors, many of whom feared the licence would lead to a repeat of an event, hosted by the racecourse last August, that led to 200 complaints about the noise level.

Julia Bowles, chairman of Sedgefield Village Residents' Forum, said: "It is well accepted that the residents of Sedgefield are very supportive and welcome the racecourse.

"But the 2004 event was appalling, residents from all corners of the village were affected by the thumping music."

Resident David Mekins said: "We have no problem with the indoor aspects, the objections are centred around amplified music outdoors, which causes irritation and disturbance.

"I'm delighted that the applicants reduced outdoor events to 11pm."

Andrew Woods, representing the racecourse, said: "There is not a great difference between what residents want and what the racecourse wants.

"It can only exist as part of the community and the last thing we want to do is disturb the village.

"There has been one occasion throughout the years when residents had reason to complain.

"We wholeheartedly agree with noise and safety conditions suggested by the environmental department.

"The outdoor conditions will be used infrequently, we just need the licence so if we are asked to host an outdoor event we can look into it."

The committee granted the application with conditions designed to limit the impact on residents in the village.