RESIDENTS are urging councillors not to agree to plans to extend a pub in Yarm as they fear the town could turn into a Las Vegas-style area.

Stockton Borough Council has received a planning application from The New Cross Keys, in the High Street, for a two-storey extension and to change the use of a building next door into part of the pub.

The council has received letters of objection from people living in nearby High Church Wynd. They are expected to be present today when councillors visit the site to examine the proposals.

The objectors say they suffer from a high amount of anti-social behaviour with thefts from doorsteps and drunken behaviour.

One resident said: "Yarm is not Las Vegas. It is a jewel in the heart of industrial Teesside and this kind of development should not be allowed.

"We have a profusion of bars, restaurants and pubs in the High Street. We do not mind people using them as long as they have consideration for others, which most generally do.

"However, we have had quite a bit of trouble with people tearing down hanging baskets, stealing door knockers and having sex in the Wynd.

"We have lived here for 18 years and it is a lovely place to live.We do not wish to see it being turned into a jungle.

"Once one pub gets permission to extend, all the others will try."

A meeting of the planning committee will take place tomorrow, when councillors will discuss the application.

A report to the council said that although there was opposition to the application, councillors should take into account the fact that a previous application had been approved.

The report said: "The scheme is superior to that previously approved in terms of its external appearance in relation to the surrounding conservation area and the listed building."

The report concluded that, on balance, the application should be approved.