A LANDLORD has hit back against accusations by a village parish council which has placed his pub's opening hours under the spotlight. Banwell Parish Council called into question The Bell Inn's late licence, which allows it to stay open until 2am on some n

A LANDLORD has hit back against accusations by a village parish council which has placed his pub's opening hours under the spotlight.Banwell Parish Council called into question The Bell Inn's late licence, which allows it to stay open until 2am on some nights, after a spate of vandalism in the village.Councillors alleged that a man who had been drinking at the pub in The Square, had gone on the rampage damaging several cars after he left earlier this month.Now, landlord Martyn Serpis, aged 55, has responded by saying the council is not doing enough to protect Banwell residents against vandalism.He said: "I am furious about these unfounded accusations. "It seems they want to blame The Bell for something which has not even been proven by police."I do not feel it is right for the pub's licence to be called into question when there is no evidence."It is about time the parish council got its 'arse' into gear to stop this kind of thing happening."This is a safe pub and we do a lot to support groups in the village."The pub raised £705 for the Epilepsy Society on April 5, the night of the alleged vandalism, in memory of Charlotte Fletcher, a Banwell teenager who died from the disease over the Christmas period.Parish councillor Peter Shipton said: "This item will be discussed at the next meeting when we have all the information.