Neighbours fear a residential area could become a hotspot for late-night drinking after a handful of pubs and off-licences applied to extend their opening hours.

They have started a campaign to urge Brighton and Hove City Council to refuse applications for late licences in the Brunswick area of the city.

The Iron Duke in Waterloo Street, the Conqueror in Lower Market Street, the Robin Hood in Norfolk Place, the Old Market Arts Centre and the Juggler, in Western Road, have all applied for licence extensions.

Some want to stay open until 1.30am at weekends while the Iron Duke wants to serve alcohol until 3am each morning.

Bill Cowell, 68, of Waterloo Street, who is spearheading the campaign, said: "We live in a quiet area between Brighton and Hove and by allowing these applications, the council will be shifting the central Brighton drinking area into Brunswick. It is unacceptable."

Mr Cowell is worried about noise, and alcohol-related crime. He is encouraging residents to object to the applications, which, if passed, will come into force in November.

They will be considered by the city council's licensing panel.

The Border Store in Western Road has applied to sell alcohol 24 hours-a-day.

Jane Austin, of Waterloo Street, said it would add to the area's street-drinking problem.

She said: "We are not killjoys but we are proud of our historical area and want to keep it clean and avoid the locality turning into a late-night drinking den."

Hundreds of licensed premises in the city have applied to extend their opening hours under the Licensing Act 2003.

The council says the changes are likely to reduce antisocial behaviour by staggering pub closing times.

A council spokesman said: "Where licensing panels have concerns about nuisance they can impose conditions.

"Failure to adhere to the conditions could lead to a review and ultimately a revoking of the licence.

"The licensing authority will not operate a quota of any kind, which would predetermine any application, nor will it seek to impose general limitations on trading hours in particular areas."