A GRANDFATHER is reassuring neighbours his bar will not attract the "wrong sort" after applying for a licence to serve booze 24 hours a day.

Royal Tavern licence holder Ted O'Hara is promising he will do all he can to ensure residents living in Court Road, New Eltham, will not be disturbed if his proposals are accepted by Greenwich Council.

Mr O'Hara took over the two-storey pub last September.

It currently has a 24-hour entertainments licence and can serve alcohol until midnight seven days a week.

The 60-year-old is waiting to hear if Greenwich Council's licensing sub-committee will grant him permission to serve drinks around the clock on Thursday.

Mr O'Hara, who also runs The Porcupine, Mottingham Road, New Eltham, hopes to plough £500,000 into improving the Royal Tavern along with brewery Enterprise Inns.

But the plans have caused controversy among residents.

More than 70 wrote in objection to the licence extension and 98 signed a petition.

They fear they will be kept awake by revellers leaving in the early hours, predict a rise in crime and worry their house prices will be affected.

Mr O'Hara says even if he is granted the 24-hour licence, last orders will be called at 3am so residents have nothing to fear.

A disco will operate at the site on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays which Mr O'Hara says will be for over-25s only.

He said: "I have a zero-tolerance approach to troublemakers.

"When I first got here, I spent the first month banning them."

He added: "It's an eyesore at the moment and the money will be spent inside and out, which can only improve the area.

"We will have top security on the door, there will be CCTV and people will enter and exit the side of the premises away from the gardens.

"I will not let it attract the wrong sort. I would ask residents to give us time. Within six months, fears will be allayed."