Pubs must keep bouncers on their doors to prevent late-night violence overwhelming emergency services, police have warned.

The Pitcher and Piano pub has applied to Brighton and Hove City Council to change the terms of its licence.

Sussex Police licensing officers say any move to save money by reducing the number of door staff used by the pub, in King's Road, Brighton, would put an extra strain on 999 teams.

So far this year police have been called to the pub to deal with reports of drugs, theft and violence.

A panel of three city councillors is due to consider the pub’s application on Monday(Sept 22).

The pub’s licence requires it to have door staff working from 7.30pm until closing time on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with a minimum of four door staff after 9pm.

But bosses have applied to change its conditions so that they can decide when they need to employ bouncers.

Police say the removal of door staff would leave no-one to manage the problems posed by revellers, stag parties and football supporters on busy nights.