Residents have launched a campaign to block a bid by Cullingworth Conservative Club to extend its opening hours.

They claim the plans - to allow the club to remain open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays - will result in unacceptable disturbance and increased noise.

The club in Station Road, Cullingworth, is currently open from 6.30 to 11pm.

But it has applied to Bradford Council for a certificate of suitability which could pave the way for it to stay open an extra hour.

Local residents claim that they would be disturbed by revellers, especially in the summer when the club's windows would be open, as well by car engines and car doors slamming.

A petition signed by 21 residents and a separate letter of objection have been submitted to the Council's licensing sub-committee.

It claims longer opening hours would bring no extra revenue to the club but would cause inconvenience to many. villagers.

The petition, organised by Station Road residents Patricia Dorrington and Pauline Clegg, says: "The residents and the Conservative Club have co-existed quite happily in the past but the extended hours could jeopardise this relationship.

"Some residents unfortunately need to rise early on Saturday and Sunday to go to work and would not wish to be disturbed while trying to sleep at a later time than is now the case."

But club secretary John Brigg said the petition was ill-founded because the certificate of suitability, if granted, would not allow the club to stay open.

"It is merely a certificate saying that the premises are suitable. At some future date it may be that the club would then apply to the licensing justices for an extra hour," he said.

Mr Brigg said he was surprised that there had been objections to the application.

"In all my time as secretary we have never had any complaints about noise or traffic. A large number of our customers live in the village and walk to the club, which is part of the attraction of it," he said.

The licensing sub-committee is due to discuss the application at at City Hall in Bradford at 3pm on Wednesday.

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