A public meeting will be held today to appease hundreds of residents campaigning against an alcohol licence application by a popular beach-side cafe.

Arun District Council has been deluged with an unprecedented number of letters opposing an application which would allow alcohol sales and music until midnight at the Blue Bird Cafe, Ferring, near Worthing.

Ferring Conservation Group chairman Ed Miller delivered a circular letter to about 70 homes, urging neighbours to fight the application, fearing an increase in late-night noise and vandalism.

Mr Miller said: "It's an outrageous application which will turn a quiet cafe into a boozer on the beach. It will inevitably lead to an increase in hooliganism, noise and yob behaviour."

But cafe leaseholder Adam Rance said it has all been a huge misunderstanding and has invited people to a meeting at 4pm today to set the record straight.

Mr Rance said: "The rumour has spread that I am planning some kind of 24-hour nightclub and the place will turn into a debauched Wild West saloon. It's nonsense."

He explained he had been forced to make the application when he took over the cafe in January and realised the premises were no longer licensed to sell alcohol.

He added: "The previous owner had not applied to update his premises licence so I had to apply for a new one.

"It will allow me to occasionally host things such as 60th birthday parties.

"The previous owner did the same thing.

"It will be no different to how it has always been and if the mistake had not occurred none of this would have happened.

"I wish Mr Miller had spoken to me before he sent out his letter."

Mr Rance said he was prepared to alter his application, limiting the evening sessions to just 30 a year.

He added: "People seem to think I want to do it seven days a week but it is more likely to be seven times a year."

Mr Miller said: "I have no quarrel with the man if he wants to run the place responsibly.

"But what happens when he leaves? The next operator will have a licence to turn the place into a nightclub. It cannot go unchallenged."

Arun District Council licensing officer Rosie Bomford said: "We have had more than 100 objections, which is the most we have ever had for a licensing application.

"There has been hearsay that this would create a nightclub, which is false.

"The cafe only seats 55 so it's too small for a nightclub, there is no market for one and it does not have planning permission.

"The previous operator had permission to sell alcohol with food until midnight and the new leaseholder is trying to achieve the same thing with this application.

"We are holding the meeting to explain the application and give people concerned an opportunity to meet the applicant.

"There is likely to be standing room only."