NEIGHBOURS of a Portishead pub fear they will be facing sleepless nights after the landlord applied for a 3am licence. People living near

NEIGHBOURS of a Portishead pub fear they will be facing sleepless nights after the landlord applied for a 3am licence.People living near The Plough in the High Street are gearing up to object to plans to increase the opening hours of the popular pub. Landlord Derek Robertson, who runs the bar with wife Val, wants to open the pub from Monday to Saturday until 3am and until midnight on Sundays.But the news has sparked outcry among local residents who say a licence until the early hours will shatter their peace.They are also concerned the late drinking could lead to an increase in vandalism and antisocial behaviour in the town centre. People living near to the pub are now planning to write to licensing officials objecting to the moves.A spokesman for the residents said: "We are extremely worried about the extra noise and nuisance it would mean if the pub was to open through the week until 3am."There has been problems with noise in the past and we have had cause to contact the council's environmental health department and the police."A later licence would just make this problem worse."A lot of the houses are very close to the pub, some of them have gardens which back onto it. With live music and the pub open later it will mean many people will not be able to use their gardens in the summer or keep their windows open."We are also concerned that with the impending smoking ban that people will be outside until 3am smoking and being boisterous."Local councillor Reyna Knight is backing the residents' concerns and said: "The pub is close to residential properties, a number occupied by elderly people and young families, and they could seriously be affected by the increased noise this application could mean. I am also concerned that people will be spilling out, worse for wear into the High Street very early in the morning and this could lead to an increase in antisocial behaviour."Residents have until June 21 to register their views on the application with North Somerset Council. Police have said they are likely to object to the plans on the grounds of concerns of an increase in antisocial behaviour and noise.