NEIGHBOURS of a pub in Pakefield, Lowestoft have raised strong concerns over its plans to extend its drinking hours for customers and set up a marquee for events in its rear garden.

The Ship Inn in Stradbroke Road has applied to Waveney District Council to serve alcohol until midnight during the week, to 12.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 11.30pm on Sundays.

The landlord Brian Darlaston also wants to hold beer festivals and entertainment in a marquee outside.

The pub's application is due to be discussed today by Waveney District Council's licensing premises panel.

Councillors will hear that 11 neighbours have raised concerns over the plans as several are already concerned about loud noise coming from the pub and the behaviour of its customers.

The letters of objection mention problems caused by 'loutish behaviour', people leaving the pub urinating and vomiting in the area, and leaving broken drink glasses in the street. There are also worries that the pub is causing parking problems, with customers' cars blocking people's driveways and double parking.

One letter of objection says: 'As the public house is in a built up area where many other residents live, it can be very frightening for them when people are leaving the public house very late, shouting and falling about, swearing, being sick in people's gardens and urinating in the road. I feel that these applications for late nights, erection of marquees for functions etc will only result in making matters much worse. The noise level will be unbearable.'

Another letter says: 'There has been disorder on previous occasions when the police have been called to deal with drunken and loutish behaviour. Customers using the pub at present have been seen to urinate against neighbouring properties, including my own, and there have been patches of vomit over the car park and footpaths.'

In another letter adds: 'Broken glass is a hazard and often can be found littering the path on both Ship and Stradbroke Road. There are toddlers living in the area and this is dangerous to those taking early steps.'

In Mr Darlaston's application, he says he will ensure customers do not take bottles and glasses out on to the street, that he will participate in the town's pubwatch scheme and will have CCTV/video equipment.

In a statement, he adds: 'In my time as a license holder and landlord I have always operated a zero tolerance policy. If you mess up in my home, you never mess is up again.

'People know this and I firmly believe this creates a safe, happy and vibrant environment in which to enjoy your night out. There is also a strict policy on drugs use and over consumption of alcohol.'

Officers have recommended that the Ship Inn be permitted to hold beer festivals with music twice a year.