WORRIED residents who want to oppose late opening plans by pubs near their homes have been offered help by a successful campaign group.

Determined campaigners in Skeldergate were celebrating after they blocked a move by the Cock And Bottle pub to open until half past midnight.

They feared extra opening hours would lead to more late night noise as well as increased incidents of vandalism, litter and drunken violence.

A Guildhall licensing panel hearing, which was attended by almost 20 residents, decided to only give the pub an extra 30 minutes.

Objector Mark Richards, 31, of Queens Staith Mews, said the group is now willing to share the secrets of its success with other people in the same position.

He said: "If people really are at a loss at the last minute we can help them. Because the legislation is new it can be hard to find information."

Councillors expect dozens of licensing meetings to be held over the next month, after the deadline for licence transfers passed today.

Pubs, bars and takeaways can also still apply for completely new licences under the new regime before the extra hours come into effect on November 24.

Other neighbourhoods that have blocked late pub bids include Heslington where villagers mounted an impressive campaign against two pubs, Charles XII and The Deramore Arms.

Last week the Evening Press revealed how objectors who failed to stop a bid by the Barbican to get permission to 2am have appealed to the city's magistrates.

Mr Richards, who runs a website design firm, said the group were so determined they hired a solicitor to represent them at the meeting.

Andrew Love, of Buckingham Street, who said the extra hours were not suitable for a residential area, said: "It goes to show that when a community pull together they can effect change."

Keith Meadley, of Skeldergate, said: "Our homes have the unique position of being centrally located yet within a secluded and peaceful conservation area, and we'd like to keep it that way."

The Cock And Bottle, which is managed by Liam Sweetman, applied to open until half past midnight, seven days a week. Mr Sweetman was not available for comment. Councillors restricted the pub to an extra 30 minutes only, and gave them no extra drinking time on Bank Holidays.

Additional conditions include: a noisy fire door must not be used as a day-to-day exit; managers must employ door staff on busy days and that pub windows are closed at 10pm when music is being played.

The campaign team is willing to offer advice to other communities facing similar applications and can be contacted on 07005 978 780.

Updated: 11:51 Saturday, August 06, 2005