Neighbours and the police have joined forces to object to plans to serve drinks until 2am at a new nightclub.

Po Na Na plans to spend £1.5 million on the club at the Aquarium Terraces, on Brighton seafront.

The company is applying to the city's licensing justices for the drinks licence and a special hours certificate.

But police and residents' groups, including the Kingscliffe Society, the Return the Aquarium Terraces Group and the St James's Area Action Group, oppose the application.

They fear there could be an increase in problems of drunkenness and public disorder in the area, which already has about eight clubs.

The police say there are concerns officers will struggle to cope with the impact of another large late-night venue. They want the alcohol licence to be restricted to 1am and for the club to pay towards extra officers on duty under the Private Police Funding scheme, which already operates at football matches and at clubs in other major cities.

They have suggested the club pays up to £1,200 a week for a team of extra police to patrol the area at the busiest times.

The hearing at Brighton Magistrates Court was told the company had already been granted a provisional public entertainments licence by Brighton and Hove City Council until 3am.

The number of clubbers has been restricted to 1,000 but the council may consider increasing the number to 1,400 after a six-month trial period.

Po Na Na's commercial project manager Steve Thick told the licensing justices: "We believe the blank canvas we have been handed by the developer means we can create a state of the art club."

He said the two-storey premises, between Madeira Drive and Marine Parade, would be split into three areas, with different music and decor.

During the day, part of the club would open as a cafe bar.

He said the company was eager for good relations with local residents and the police.

But he was concerned the police suggestion of paying for extra officers would lead to problems and confusion.

He said the club intended to employ street wardens to patrol the area outside the club to deter troublemakers.

It would install CCTV linked to the police station, introduce crime prevention measures and run an electronic system to check on the number of clubbers on the premises. A 24-hour helpline would be set up for local residents.

Negotiations are going on with Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company to run a late-night service for the club.

He said it would not be financially viable to open the club if it could only serve alcohol until 1pm.

Mr Thick said a sound check had been carried out to ensure sharks in the neighbouring Sea Life Centre would not be disturbed by the music.

Po Na Na operates more than 50 bars and clubs, including a venue in East Street which opened two months ago.

The new club would open next spring.

Magistrates were expected to announced their decision today.