A PUB which could face legal proceedings over excessive noise has applied to open for longer hours.

42nd Street, in Lucan Street, Hartlepool opens from 11pm until 2am, Monday to Saturday, and noon to 2pm and 7pm to midnight, on Sunday.

However, under a newly introduced law, the owners want to extend opening on Sundays from noon until 12.30am, and before a bank holiday until 2am.

Objections have been received by the council about the proposal for longer hours, with concerns about the noise and disturbance already created by the pub.

A council spokesman said: "In the past, Sundays have been generally accepted to be a quieter day.

"However, over recent years, attendance at the town centre venues on a Sunday has become popular.

"In addition, the recent changes in the law indicates that the Government is advocating a more relaxed approach to dealing with applications for late licences on a Sunday."

The spokesman said 42nd Street had been under investigation by the council for noise disturbance and this could increase if it was allowed to open longer hours.

Complaints were first received when the pub opened in 1992, and the owners were persuaded to reduce the noise.

However, according to the council, since 1999 there have been more complaints, and council officers served a noise abatement notice on the pub in December 2000 requiring the owners to ensure residents were not disturbed.

Because of the possibility of legal action, the council has been recommended to refuse the application when it meets tomorrow.