A LATE licensing application by a Sankey Pub has left neighbours anxious at the prospect of late night trouble.

The Woodlands in Liverpool Road wants to open until 2am at weekends but a petition has already started and campaigners aim to get at least 100 signatures.

One resident, Jane Munro of Liverpool Road said: "The pub is in the middle of a residential area and residents would undoubtedly be affected by noise and traffic in the early hours of the morning

"Has anybody from the brewery even considered how people might get home given there is no bus or train service at that time in Great Sankey?"

A 70-year-old Liverpool Road resident who asked not to be named said: "We are always afraid of the drinkers coming into the garden.

"They use the wall outside as a toilet."

Yvonne Critchley from Liverpool Road said: "We get stuff thrown into the garden and they pull up the shrubs and bushes. They probably don't even remember doing it.

"Oh my God, it will get worse if it's open later!"

The licensee of The Woodlands declined to give his name but said the pub owners The Spirit Group were the people behind the application.

He said: "The notices are there to warn people what we have applied for. So it's up to people to put objections."

A spokesman for The Spirit Group told the Warrington Guardian: "Our aim is simply to provide our customers with what they want and we only plan to open for longer hours where there is demonstrable customer demand.

"We recognise that some local residents will have concerns initially.

"We take these concerns very seriously and strive to be a responsible member of the local communities in which we operate.

"We can assure local residents that we are not planning to apply for any 24-hour licences.

"we want to work with local residents to address any issues on an ongoing basis."