Moves to double the number of people who can go into a seafront venue in Worthing were approved last night.

Despite neighbours' concerns about noise and drink-related violence, Worthing's licensing committee voted in favour of the Burlington Hotel, in Marine Parade, Worthing, enlarging its night club.

The Tunnel Club, soon to be renamed "Tides", was limited to 200 people. The committee's decision means co-owners Dawn and Paulo Packham can now have an extra 130 people in a chill-out bar area and 120 in a separate function room.

Tides and the adjoining bar will be licensed to serve alcohol until 2am but the committee said the function room should be limited to midnight.

A number of people urged the committee to vote against the licence variation.

One Worthing resident wrote: "No way do we want further annoyance through noise, fighting and vandalism than already occurs when other late night clubs on the pier and in Marine Parade and Chapel Road close.

"The parking problem for residents will be made almost impossible for people arriving home from work after 6pm."

Another wrote: "I feel that the existing club catering for 200 people is as much as this area of town can cope with."

At the meeting in Worthing Town Hall, Mr Packham said: "I want to turn it into an over-25s' venue. The town centre is designed for 18 and 16 year-olds."

David Walton, who will manage Tides when it opens on November 12, said: "It's about giving people space. It won't suit a lot of people and that's how we see ourselves controlling our clientele."

Just under £1 million has been spent on refurbishing the venue.

After the meeting, Mrs Packham said: "We're very pleased. This was another hurdle we had to get over to give Worthing the Burlington again."

Councillor George Stephens, who sits on the committee, said: "I was stunned by the ease with which this decision was reached. I see the committee has learned nothing from the problems the town already has."