The owner of a town centre nightspot is fighting to save his club from closure.

JR's, in Harold Place, is one of the busiest clubs in Hastings but may be forced to shut down because the council has revoked its entertainment licence.

The unusual step was taken after Hastings Borough Council grew concerned about the level of violence and disorder recorded at the nightspot.

Crime statistics provided by police showed the club had a poor track record and the council decided it must take action.

Inspector Mike Fagan said research had shown there appeared to be a correlation between incidents of violence and disorder and the £1-a-drink night held at JR's on Thursday nights.

Insp Fagan said: "Police spoke with the club's owner about the problems and he promised to take action. Since then I've been told the situation has improved."

The owner of JR's, Joe Riordan, has appealed against the decision and will have his case heard on October 19.

He said: "I fully support any move by police, the Home Office and local authorities to reduce drink-related violence.

"But, as an individual licensee, it is in my opinion unfair and ridiculous to try and single me out."

Police have recently launched Operation Marble, a crackdown on drink-related violence in Hastings town centre, including the introduction of a bylaw to stop street drinking.