People who live in a quiet residential area are worried they will be besieged by noise and drunken behaviour if their local is allowed to remain open later at night.

The Ancient Mariner, in Rutland Road, Hove, has applied to extend its opening hours until 2am during the weekends and 1am during the week.

Owner Zelgrain Limited wants permission for live performances of up to two musicians and dancing until an hour before closing.

It also wants to sell alcohol during televised sporting events outside normal hours and have restrictions on children under 14 lifted.

Most residents in quiet Poet's Corner like the pub as it is and believe extending the opening hours will mean they will be disturbed later at night and face further parking problems.

Pregnant mum-of-one Maria Witherington, 38, who moved with her family to the house next door in May, said: "This is our dream home and it's lovely round here but this application is just diabolical.

"I could understand if it is was in Brighton's centre but I would have thought we would have more rights round here than a pub."

Father-of-one Anthony Marriott, 50, said he and his wife Debbie, 41, have not had any major problems with the pub since they moved in 13 years ago.

But he added: "There's always rowdiness and swearing outside our house at closing time and I don't want that at 2am. I think it's foolish to allow it to happen in a residential area."

Ward councillor Brian Oxley was meeting the residents yesterday afternoon.

He said: "It does seem a significant extension to what the pub has at the moment and it is surrounded by properties."

Hove and Portslade MP Celia Barlow supports the Government's changes to licensing laws, which slant towards 24-hour drinking in a quest to reduce binge drinking.

But she said: "I recognise granting extended hours licences will not be appropriate in all cases.

"I'm happy for constituents to visit my drop-in surgery at 88 Portland Road, between 10 and noon on weekdays, for guidance on how to make objections."

Zelgrain managing director Gavin George said the pub would only be open late if the demand was there so it would not necessarily be open later on a regular basis.

Paperwork outlining how disruption would be minimised has accompanied the application.

He said: "I understand residents' concerns and we have no desire to upset our neighbours.

"If the objections are such that we have to alter our application then that's what will happen."

Comments must be made to the Assistant Director, Public Safety, Health and Safety Licensing, Bartholomew House, Bartholomew Square, Brighton, BN1 1JP by August 26.