Campaigners are gearing up for a fresh court battle over plans for a huge new night club on Brighton seafront.

Club operator Po Na Na has lodged an appeal after magistrates refused a drinks licence for a 1,040-capacity club.

Residents fearing more noise and disturbances had hoped the firm would abandon its £1.5 million plans for the Aquarium Terraces site in Madeira Drive.

But a new hearing is expected to be heard in the new year following Brighton magistrates' decision in August.

If given permission, the night club would be one of the largest on the South Coast.

Brighton and Hove City Council had earlier granted Po Na Na a provisional public entertainments licence until 3am.

However, magistrates threw out the application after hearing residents' concerns about disturbances in the streets.

Chief Superintendent Doug Rattray told the August hearing police would be unable to cope with another 1,000 clubbers spilling on to the streets at 2am.

Already 7,500 people come out of clubs around West Street at 2am.

Mr Rattray said they would be happier with the club closing at 1am.

The number of violent incidents in the St James's area, near to the proposed club, soared from 139 in 1997 to 224 last year.

Derek Peacock, chairman of the St James's Street Action Group safety committee, blamed the increase on venues granted permission for late drinking.

He said: "There's a definite correlation between the number of drinkers and the number of violent attacks and general disturbances.

"Having another club here would tip the balance.

"This is a densely-populated area and residents all need a good night's sleep."

Trevor Scoble, of the Return the Aquarium Terraces Group, said residents suffered enough already from revellers vomiting, defecating and fighting in the streets.

He said: "We need the support of residents writing in, to explain how we're all entitled not to be disturbed at night."