ONE OF Southampton's most popular live music venues has been given permission to open later at weekends - in spite of fears of increased antisocial behaviour.

Dozens of residents living near the Talking Heads pub in Portswood Road feared that gangs of drunken and rowdy customers leaving the pub late at night would make their lives a misery.

Thirty-seven letters of objection to the increased opening hours were lodged with city licensing chiefs.

They included a letter from the city's university which objected to yet more late-night drinking venues for students, as well as one from the council's environmental health officers who feared increased noise during weekdays would be unbearable for residents. However, in a last-minute change of heart, owner of the Talking Heads, Simon Bell withdrew his original application - opting for shorter hours during the week. His move led to environmental health chiefs at the council withdrawing their objections. Owner of the pub Simon Bell originally lodged an application to open on Monday and Wednesday evenings until 2am - as well as extending the opening hours on Friday and Saturday nights from 1am until 2am.

He later revised his request during a licensing meeting opting for 2am opening hours on Friday and Saturday nights and a midnight finish on both Monday and Thursdays.

He told members of the licensing general sub-committee that his business could be forced to close and become "a pile of rubble" unless his hours of opening were extended.

He said: "Over the past two and a half years, there has been an increase in late licences further down Bevois Valley. That is really why we need the extension."

He added that his business needed longer opening hours so he could compete on a "level playing field" with other local nightspots.

He added: "I just want a platform for my business to survive. If we can't get this licence we will be in a position where we will be forced to close."

Mr Bell's last minute change of heart was welcomed by Jenny Arnold chairman of trustees from the Portswood Residents' Gardens which had objected to the proposals. She told members of the panel that Mr Bell's offer of reducing the hours would be "a great help" to residents.

She said: "The Talking Heads is a local pub and it is an interesting one."

Members of the panel granted extended opening hours on Friday and Saturday nights for the pub until 2am from 1am. They also allowed 12 midnight opening on Monday and Thursday nights at the venue.