A ROWDY Hampshire pub hoping to extend its weekend opening hours had its application thrown out after complaints from residents and the police.

The Horse and Groom pub in Alresford had applied to Winchester City Council to open an hour later on Friday and Saturday nights until 1am.

But council chiefs rejected the application after 18 complaints from local residents who claimed the extension would lead to more vandalism and noise when drinkers left the pub.

During a six month period starting in January this year police received seven complaints relating to anti-social behaviour at the watering hole including reports of up to 20 people fighting outside the pub's entrance in the early hours of May 24.

Another incident revealed a customer was hit by a pint glass that had been thrown across the pub after an argument between a couple on February 13.

Other complaints by residents submitted at the licensing sub-committee included pints of urine being left outside their homes and drunk customers swearing at them.

Kevin Head, of East Street, Alresford, said: "The police have been called on several occasions to deal with vandalism, fighting and other public offences.

"We have seen windows smashed, bus stops vandalised, glasses thrown at people and objects smashed in the street."

Jo Ferguson, of Broad Street, Alresford, added: "The clientele have changed considerably and think it acceptable to shout out abuse across the street.

"Given the behaviour which I have experienced I am no longer comfortable with my children passing by the pub. Again this is intolerable in a small town like Alresford, where we have all felt safe and no longer do."

A spokesman from Winchester City Council said the sub committee had rejected the licence due to the high number of complaints relating to public nuisance and crime.

The pub on Broad Street, which is owned by Barron and Company Leisure, is run by landlord Cliff Crook.

Mr Crook agreed that the number of incidents reported to police had increased but claimed this was due to an influx of customers from The Running Horse pub, which had temporarily closed during that time.

Mr Crook was unavailable for comment.