A TOWN centre bar in Bexleyheath has been told it cannot extend its opening hours.

Councillors unanimously rejected an application from the Zero Bar in the Broadway to open until midnight on Sundays to Thursdays and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The new hours would bring the bar's opening hours in line with the new licensing hours granted by the council's licensing sub-committee.

But the proposal was fiercely opposed by residents and ward councillors who said later opening would badly affect the lives of residents who live near the Broadway.

They claim residents already have to put up with vandalism, disorder and drunkenness from people using pubs and bars in the town centre.

The planning committee also heard statistics linking alcohol with crimes of violence and criminal damage.

In line with a number of previous decisions not to amend planning permissions to meet new licensing hours, the committee unanimously rejected the application.