PETERSFIELD's only nightclub has got the go-ahead to open late for one extra night a week despite protests from neighbours in Swan Street.

Although police had not objected to Vertigo's plan to open until 2 am for another night every week, they asked that it should be given a six- month trial and that they should be given 28 days' notice of extra opening nights.

Councillors deciding the request on Tuesday night were told that the club was "extremely well run" by managers who were open and co-operative in every respect. There had been a negligible number of complaints arising from noise and nuisance in the club.

But East Hampshire District Council's licensing officer, Angela Stone, told members of the central area community committee this week that there had been 16 objections to Vertigo's request to open until 2 am for a third night in the week. Twelve of these were from neighbours in Swan Street.

Objectors said they already suffered from anti-social behaviour late at night and blamed late-night revellers leaving Vertigo.

Mrs Stone told the committee: "I would suggest that there is a tendency to unfairly blame Vertigo for every anti-social act of behaviour or act of vandalism, regardless of the location or time."

There had never been a complaint about noise inside the club, she told councillors, during all the years it had been open. Mrs Stone said the only matter which councillors should consider was whether the variation of hours would cause an unreasonable disturbance to neighbours.

Kenneth Gammon-Hardaway told the committee that much of the time since l998 he and his wife had been plagued by disturbances during the early hours of Saturdays and Sundays after 2 am "when groups of youths passed by our house exhibiting loud drunken behaviour and offensive language, often in an aggressive or intimidating manner".

He told the committee: "This occurred so often that we became conditioned to waking at that time in order to guard against events that might deteriorate into damage of our property or that of our neighbours."

"On several occasions we witnessed damage to the telephone box outside Willis' Organ factory. Between January and July of this year the box was vandalised on 11 occasions."

He warned the committee: "If this application is granted the licensing committee may be opening a Pandora's box of problems that could place a strain on local police resources as well as antagonising the citizens of Petersfield."

Speaking for Vertigo, solicitor Paul Gromett told the meeting that a plan to turn the Vertigo building into sheltered homes for elderly people was turned down because planners felt a nightclub was needed in the town.

He told members the six-month trial suggested by police was very short and could cause commercial difficulties for Vertigo. But he said the club was happy to give prior notice of its events.

"For commercial reasons my clients believe there is a demand for this and there have been requests from patrons for it. There is no evidence before you that it is patrons from this night club who are causing problems in the town late at night."

Teresa Jamieson, who lives in the centre of Petersfield, said she experienced late-night disturbance and sympathised with other residents who suffered.

But she added: "There needs to be a balance between the needs of the very immediate neighbours, the town as a whole, and the needs of the younger people and their entertainment requirements."

She urged councillors to allow 2 am opening for an extra night every week on a year's trial.

The club has also got the go-ahead to open on Sundays before bank holidays.