TWO Winchester public houses are facing a challenge over their plans.

Local people are fighting proposals for the renewal of the entertainment licence at the Original Porthouse in Upper Brook Street in Winchester.

In Alresford residents are opposing the granting of a public entertainment licence at the Running Horse in Pound Hill.

City councillors on the licensing committee will discuss both bids at its meeting tomorrow.

The council has received a protest letter from Elizabeth Nation on behalf of eleven other residents living in Upper Brook Street.

She said: "Residents within the city have a right to the peaceful enjoyment of their surroundings. Unfortunately this is no longer possible because of the disturbances that occur regularly after 11pm in our street."

They say that people leaving the 370-capacity pub "wreak havoc along the western side of the street. It is not only the frightening noise but the actual vandalism caused that is so distressing."

Mrs Nation claims cables have been ripped off walls and junction boxes, windows smashed and doors broken by people leaving the pub.

The council report states that the police have no objections to the renewal of the licence.

At the Running Horse, licensees Deborah Smith and Ronald Eastwood are asking for an entertainment licence for four nights a week as well as the flexibility to use a low volume karaoke machine on request of their customers.

Their plan has sparked 13 letters of objection from nearby residents, concerned about noise pollution and disturbance from pub-goers.

Chris Ashmore, of Pound Hill, said; "More noise and more abuse from this pub will add yet another unwanted set of aggravation to our already noisy environment."

The council report recommends that the licence be granted for only two days a month.