ANGRY residents are demanding that time is called on a Stretford pub's bid to ring for last orders in the early hours.

Householders claim they already have to put up with rowdy drunken behaviour and vandalism when people leave the Robin Hood pub on Barton Road - and fear extended licensing hours would make the situation in the residential area even worse.

Around 350 people have signed a petition calling for the extension application to be thrown out and letters of objection have flooded into the council.

The three ward councillors - Stephen Adshead, Paul Dolan and Bernice Garlick - and MP Bev Hughes are supporting the residents.

The protesting householders are planning to turn out in force when the council's licensing committee decides tonight (Thursday) whether to approve the application for a variation to the pub's public entertainment licence. If the bid is given the go-ahead, closing time would be shifted from 11pm to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and to 12.30am on Sundays. On Sundays before a Bank Holiday, it would close at 2am.

Ward councillor, Stephen Adshead says: "I have been on the council for 15 years and this has been one of the biggest issues in all that time. If this is approved there would be music blaring out at 1am and people pouring out onto the street at 1.30 or 2am."

Residents also fear extending the hours would make the pub a magnet for people from surrounding areas.

One said it would be a 'nightmare' for residents if the extension is approved: "It will be like living next door to a night club."

Another said: "Already we have to live with violent and disgusting behaviour by many of the customers. We are often presented with empty bottles either thrown in our gardens or smashed on the road.

"We have to witness people urinating and vomiting on a regular basis. Then there is the violence that would certainly become more frequent."