POLICE and residents are calling for action over two local nightclubs following complaints about late night disturbances.

But protesters will have to wait for the results of an investigation into noise levels before a decision on whether to alter opening hours is made by councillors, after the owner claimed he was being made a scapegoat for problems in the area.

Some residents living on Albion Street, Blackburn, close to the Albion Mill complex, have described Friday and Saturday nights as "like living in a battlefield."

The owners of two clubs and a bar operating from the site have applied to the town hall to renew their entertainment licence.

But Blackburn with Darwen licensing committee won't make a decision until after a full investigation into levels of noise and the premises' impact on local residents.

Scene One and Chauffeurs currently stay open until 2am from Monday to Saturday night and the Mill Bar stays open until 11pm.

Alice Baldwin, whose home is four doors away, said: "I have to go to the back of the house if I want any sleep. It's shocking."

Neighbour John Shaw said : "We were woken up last Thursday with screaming and swearing and there were two girls fighting in the street. A neighbour found my wing mirror under a car. His wife Anne, added: "They sit on the wall opposite at night drinking and swearing. It's like living in a battlefield. I don't think 12 o'clock is unreasonable to close."

Duncan Wilson has taken to moving his car at the weekend to save it from damage. "Mine is the only one that hasn't been damaged I think and that's only because I move it."

Chairman of licensing councillor Jim Blackburn, said: "The problem has been getting steadily worse over the last 12 months. and there has been growing concern about the level of noise.

"It appears the club has been leaving doors open during the summer, which has increased the noise levels."

However, complex owner David Cowell, said: "Because we are on a thoroughfare from the town centre to Mill Hill, we get a lot of people coming from town past the club at night.

"We have never had a police visit in 12 months, it is just a small club that is well run and well managed. The councillors are quite sensible people and they will see that the problems are not coming from my club.

"You can't hear the music a couple of yards away. It was all soundproofed within a fortnight of hearing about the complaints." He added that he had asked taxi drivers not to play loud music when they collect clubbers.

"There was a time when the door was left open and I hold my hands up to that. The doorman propped it open with a chair because it was hot. There was another time when a doorman was distracted and someone opened the fire escape to let people in, but I apologise for that."

The application will be heard on Wednesday, September 20.