A TOWN centre bar's bid to extend its opening hours has been opposed by police because of its troublesome repu-tation.

Pitchers Bar, in Salford, Blackburn, has received 89 visits from the police in just five months.

Seventeen people have been arrested outside the bar in this time - almost half of whom were under 18 - for public order breaches.

The venue has lodged an application to Blackburn with Darwen Council's licensing sub-committee to open until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights, and 2am on weekdays. It currently closes at 2am at weekends and 1am during the week.

The pub, which reopened in April this year as a show bar, also plans to open on New Years Eve and remain trading through the night until late on New Years Day.

PC Steven Finley said: "The police object to the application due to the high levels of public disorder and anti-social behaviour that take place at the premises."

But licensee Adrian Garner, who is also licensee of Bar Ibiza in Mincing Lane, and town centre club Never Never Land, said: "I have always had a good relationship with the police and if we ever have trouble, I contact them straight away."

He said it was important for Pitchers Bar to stay open for longer, to keep pace with the opposition.

"F.J. Nicholls has a licence until 7am and I need to extend mine in order to compete with them and other town centre bars," he said.

However, the police are concerned that most of the bar's competitors close by 2.30am. Police patrols end at 3am.

PC Finley believes that, because of this set-up, the bar staying open later would pose a risk.

"After 3am, the area is policed solely by one team who remain on duty until 4am.

"Any extension to the licence would have serious implications on crime, disorder and public safety," he said.

The licensing sub-committee will meet next Tuesday at 7pm in the town hall to decide on the application.