Landlords have lost their fight to run the first late-opening pub in Worthing town centre.

The former Fathom and Firkin, now called The Assembly, wanted to extend its public entertainments licence to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and midnight on Thursdays.

But a Worthing Council licensing panel last night unanimously rejected the application, saying it would cause noise and disruption.

Owner the Punch Group is now considering appealing against the decision.

Only two of the 33 letters of objection to the scheme sent to the council were from immediate neighbours of the pub in Chapel Road.

They feared disruption and vandalism from pub-goers running into the early hours.

Police said the scheme would create a precedent and could lead to an increase in drink related crime.

Pub manager Krista Bullock said the licence would have provided an alternative for older drinkers who did not want to go to nightclubs.

She said CCTV cameras had already been installed and soundproofing and security staff would be at the door.

Solicitor Jeremy Allen, representing the Punch Group, said: "We had thought we had done enough to satisfy the council.

"We had hoped to provide facilities in the town for older people who do not like nightclubs and believe there is a demand for them, as there is in many other parts of the country.

"I shall be talking with my clients to discuss what the next step will be but we will be considering appealing against the decision."

All pubs in Worthing currently have licences until 11pm while clubs stay open until 2am.

At last night's meeting, Mr Allen said the application was "a bit of an experiment" for Worthing and reflected changes in demand.

He said: "There are many people who go out at night and want to have a drink, something to eat and a dance.

"They do not like nightclubs because they are dominated by younger people but they also don't want to have to pack up and go home at 11pm."

Town centre councillor Maurice Tucker said: "I think there were obvious concerns about the application from residents and this had to be taken into account when the final decision was made."