VILLAGERS' fears that a pub will become so popular it will attract nightclubbers from Andover are completely groundless, a licensing committee heard.

New landlord of the Amport Inn, Mick Mills, was successful in his application for a public entertainment licence for the pub - despite a number of letters of objection from villagers.

Objectors said the licence would lead to noise and disturbance while loud music sessions combined with alcohol could have policing implications and even lead to crimes.

The loud music might even disturb rare birds, it was suggested.

But Mr Mills, who moved to Amport after running a hotel in Bournemouth for many years, told councillors the objectors had got it all wrong.

"I'm getting too old for that sort of thing," he said. "I have only been in the village for four months and we want to put on village entertainment - the last thing I would want is karaoke.

"I think people should have the opportunity to come and join in village celebrations and carry on with things as they were before."

The previous landlord of the pub was the late Michael Callaghan, the brother of former Labour Prime Minister Jim Callaghan.

Mr Callaghan had held a licence but he had been unable to attend the renewal of the existing licence because of illness.

It was suggested by the couple's agent Malcolm Roberts that this applications should be treated more as a renewal rather than a fresh application.

Licensing officer Clive Judd told the committee there were no grounds to refuse the licence.