A VILLAGE pub has had only partial success with a controversial application to extend its opening hours into the early morning.

The application to open as late as 2.30am from the Bear and Ragged Staff, on High Street, Tattenhall, caused villagers to worry drunken bad behaviour would increase.

At a city council licensing hearing opening time was increased but not up to the full requested hours.

The pub and Thai restaurant can now open from 10am to midnight Monday to Thursday, 10am to 1.30am on Fridays, 10am to 1am on Saturdays and 10am until 11.30pm on Sundays.

There are also extensions on bank holidays.

Alcohol can be served until half an hour before closing time and recorded music played.

Graham Marsden, who lives on the High Street and is a Homewatch coordinator, said: 'The hours are now in line with other establishments in the village and it is written into the licence that glass bottles can not be disposed of between 11.30pm and 8am to reduce noise.

'People spilling out on to street at 2.30am would have been ridiculous in a village like Tattenhall. I think most people were satisfied by the out-come.'

The original application attracted 43 objections from residents and councillors as they were concerned crime and disorder would increase.