PLANS to extend the opening hours at a pub have been put on hold.

The Hydro, in West Terrace, Redcar, was seeking permission to open until 11pm from Monday to Wednesday, and until 1am from Thursday to Saturday.

Pub owners The Punch Pub Company also applied to hold events attracting up to 250 people.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's licensing committee has deferred making a decision after five residents living near the pub submitted letters of objection.

The objectors will now be asked to put to put their case in person at a forthcoming meeting.

The council, police and fire brigade did not object.

One man from West Terrace said: "We have enough disruption having a pub at the end of a residential area.

"Cars tear down the back entry, bottles and glasses are smashed, rubbish is kicked about, noisy drunks kick doors and our alleys are used as toilets."

A woman from nearby Newcomen Terrace said: "The area is already subjected to noise, fighting and abusive behaviour as well as criminal damaged caused by drunken people leaving The Hydro.

"Two weeks ago a car belonging to a disabled man had its rear window smashed after a fight that that traversed the length of the alley from The Hydro to Station Road."

Both representatives of the applicant and the objectors will be invited to the next licensing committee meeting.