A country pub has angered villagers by extending its opening hours to midnight on weekdays.

The Juggs Arms at Kingston, near Lewes, is one of the first pubs in the county to take advantage of new licensing laws by submitting a successful application to open later.

From November, it will be allowed to operate until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 12.30am on Friday and Saturday.

The Juggs is one of the county's most popular out-of-town pubs and attracts visitors from across Sussex. Locals fear the new hours could lead to a large influx.

Dr Christopher Knapp, a retired dentist who lives next door to the pub, said: "We would not object to the occasional late opening but this is too much."

Kingston Parish Council and nine residents formally objected to the extra hours but Lewes District Council's licensing sub-committee has agreed the changes. It is the first pub in the Lewes district to be granted extensive extra hours.

Jean Wall, 83, who has lived in Kent Fields, opposite the pub, for 23 years, said: "We are appalled. The parish council and all the residents who objected put a very good case but nobody listened to us. Now we understand the pub is planning to have barbecues and a wide screen television to attract more people from outside."

The Grade II listed building dates back to the 15th Century and is famed for its low ceilings, old world atmosphere and beer garden. It is named after women who used to walk past the pub on the downland path between Lewes and Brighton carrying baskets of fish known as juggets on their heads.

Barry Lambert, of the parish council, said: "There is no support for increased drinking times in Kingston. Residents have received assurances there would be no trouble from people visiting for late night drinking but how can we be sure this is true?"

The pub was granted the extra opening hours after Ian Hedge, head of licensing at Lewes, said there had been no problems associated with it. He said: "The council supports the use of longer opening hours as a means of reducing the number of people leaving licensed premises at the same time."

A spokeswoman for brewery Shepherd Neame, which made the application, said: "We do not believe the nature of the pub will be changed by any extra hours. The application was made so we have the option to remain open later if need be."