THE combined efforts of residents and a councillor have forced a pub to scale back its new opening hours.

More than 80 residents, backed by ward councillor Rick Everitt, objected to plans by the We Anchor In Hope pub, Bellegrove Road, Welling, to open from 9am until 12.30am during the week and until 1am on Friday and Saturday.

Residents claimed their nights were made a misery by rowdy pub-goers.

They said people leaving the pub were often fighting, throwing bottles, urinating and climbing over fences.

They also complained about loud music, broken glass and condoms littering the bus stops and the children's crossing and parking by customers in neighbouring residential streets.

Several residents cited a recent incident in which two of the pub's staff had been attacked and the new manager hospitalised But Cllr Everitt accepted the problems had eased since the pub was taken over by the John Barras group earlier this year.

He told the licensing hearing since the pub had been refurbished and become more focused on serving food, the late-night disturbances had reduced.

But he said: "The residents are anxious about the clientele it might attract for late-night drinking and I share their concerns.

"The area is poorly served by public transport and even the more responsible customers make noise by banging car doors and holding conversations in the car park and surrounding roads."

The police did not object to the pub's application.

Cllr Everitt has suggested the new management meets regularly with residents in future, to discus any further problems.

The pub was granted permission to serve alcohol until midnight on Friday and Saturday, 11.30pm on weeknights and 11pm on Sundays and to stay open for another half-an-hour for drinking up time.

An application by the Duchess of Edinburgh pub, Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, to stay open until 2am at weekends and 1am during the week was withdrawn following objections from police, Bexley Council's environmental health department and residents.