RESIDENTS of picturesque Grappenhall village fear it could be turned into another Stockton Heath' if plans for a late licence are approved.

Punch Taverns, which owns the Rams Head pub in the centre of Grappenhall, was denied permission to extend its opening hours on weekends until 1am and for live music to be played last year.

Now, following a £500,000 refurbishment, which was unveiled last month, the pub chain has appealled against the decision and a hearing has been set for April.

The application wants alcohol to be served until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and for live music to be played.

A spokesman for the residents said Grappenhall was at risk of becoming another Stockton Heath.

He added: "For the residents of all roads leading away from Church Lane the current levels of traffic and revellers' noise will be pushed back into the small hours.

"Do you want your peace shattered?

"This is not not in my backyard' - just protecting the peace and way of life."

Members of the licensing committee said because of the rural nature of the pub, the application could not be accepted.

The report stated: "The sub-committee accepted evidence of the environmental health officer and the residents that certain parts of the proposed licensable activities and the proposed hours are likely to cause noise and disturbance to those living in the vicinty and public nuisance."

A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: "An application has been submitted to extend the licensing hours at the Rams Head, Grappenall by one hour for flexibility on special occasions.

"There are no plans to hold live music at the pub on a regular basis.

"It is a family pub, very much as the hub of the local community and so we are of course listening to the concerns of local residents."