THE row over pub opening times in Westbury has escalated after a residents' association vowed to oppose the renewal of late licences in the town.

Late licences are due for renewal for several pubs in August. The Westbury Market Place Residents' Association's main objections are to late drinking at the Ludlow Arms.

Secretary Maureen Oliver said: "We all wish to see a rejuvenation of the centre of Westbury, but late-night licences will bring profit to only a few pockets and misery to a large number of residents whose only wish is to have an undisturbed night's sleep."

The residents' association said it would ask the council to approve normal licensing hours on Monday-Thursday and only allow drinking to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 10.30pm on Sundays.

The Ludlow Arms has a public entertainment licence until 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, while the White Lion in the Market Place has a late licence until midnight on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mrs Oliver said: "Several publicans have gone on record as saying they do not wish late licences but would have to do so in order to compete for business if such late night music and drinking becomes general."

Leigh Pickering, landlord of the Horse and Groom and a member of the town's Pubwatch group, said: "I think in 10 or 20 years time people will have adjusted to the European style of opening hours and will no longer feel the urge to binge drink, which causes the problems at closing time."

Mr Pickering does not have a late licence and said his customers usually leave quietly at closing time.

He said: "Although they leave my premises quietly, that's good for us in Alfred Street, but they may go on to the Ludlow, which means the problem is simply moved over there, and people in the Market Place suffer."

Ludlow Arms landlord Paul Morris said he understands the concerns of residents, but feels the people of Westbury are voting with their feet.

He said: "If the people of the town did not want a late-night drinking facility, then the pub would be empty and we wouldn't get any customers it's as simple as that.

"I think people's perceptions are slightly wrong since the average age of my customers has increased by about 20 years since we took on later hours.

"I think perhaps this is a case of the vocal minority making their voice heard, and we are just the silent majority that think later licensing hours are working in the town."

In a bid to build bridges between the opposing groups, Mrs Oliver joined Pubwatch members at a meeting on Wednesday.

Pubwatch chairman Mike Jackson said: "It was a useful meeting and if it can lead to more harmony and understanding then that's great.

"Pubwatch as an organisation have to support the pubs in the town though and at the end of the day landlords are entitled to try and do the best for their business."

An application by the Railway Inn for a late licence was recently rejected because West Wiltshire District Council's licensing committee said it was too close to a residential area, and Mr Morris is concerned the council may take the same view with other pubs in Westbury.