POLICE and environmental health officers have objected to the possible re-opening of a pub which has been shut since last November.

The previous landlord of The Royal George in Thornaby surrendered the licence on November 24 ahead of a review hearing at Stockton Borough Council's licensing committee.

At that time the pub was under review as a result of what Cleveland Police's solicitor described in a new report to the committee as "numerous incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour as well as after-hours drinking."

However, a new applicant, Kevin Michael Blackburn, has come forward to apply for a new licence at the Grade II-listed building on Thornaby Road and it will be considered by a sub-committee of the licensing committee at Stockton Town Hall on Tuesday, February 3.

If successful the pub will be open from 12pm to midnight every day of the week and Mr Blackburn said he would work closely with the police and there would be close monitoring, including CCTV.

However Cleveland Police's legal team have objected. A police report to the committee said: "Blackburn was manager at the premises in October 2011 to March 2013. During this time he was in charge when Operation Lumberjack (a drugs search operation) was carried out at the premises with a positive result.

"A second Lumberjack operation was carried out in the premises with a positive result. During Blackburn's reign as manager the licence conditions were also checked with him and a number of breaches found. Cleveland Police object to this application and believe that the premises will still have the same customer base and management as before."

A council environmental health officer also objected arguing there had been complaints about noise. If the licence was granted there should be strict rules about noise disturbance.