A nightclub owner's hopes for a 3am licence have been dealt a blow.

Kim Lucas, of The Candy Bar in St James's Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, applied for permission to stay open an extra hour from Monday to Saturday and until 2am on Sundays.

But council planning officers said it would result in additional noise, public disturbance and increase the fear of crime in the area.

They have advised Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee to refuse the application.

The police also opposed the plan, saying St James's Street was already a high crime area and the extension would encourage early-hours antisocial behaviour.

Environmental health officers served a noise abatement order on the club last year when it was called Zanzibar. Since it changed hands and was renamed, no noise complaints had been received.

Planners said while the club was well run at the moment, it might not remain so in the future and the new late hours could lead to potential disturbance.