Neighbours worried a nearby cafe will be turned into a nightclub remain sceptical about the manager's drinks licence application, despite a public meeting to appease them.

More than 100 people packed the Blue Bird Cafe on Ferring seafront yesterday to listen to leaseholder Adam Rance talk through his application for a licence to sell alcohol.

Residents are worried the venue could attract young troublemakers to the area and will be too noisy if discos or live music nights are held.

Mr Rance, who lives in Sea Lane with his wife Rebecca and their two young children, said he was not trying to change the cafe.

He said the previous owner sold alcohol and opened the cafe some evenings for private functions but had failed to apply to update his alcohol licence when the laws changed last November.

He told residents he would only sell alcohol with food, would limit the number of evening functions to no more than 30 a year and would not allow the cafe to be used for 18th or 21st birthday parties.

He said: "We are solely going to do some private functions for people's retirement parties or older birthdays.

"I do understand people's concerns but I want to reassure people we only want to do what the cafe has always done."

However, homeowners were unconvinced as they left the meeting. Stella Colter, 76, of Ferring Marine, said: "I am not at all happy about the way the licence is going to go. We already have vandalism and druggies here. What has been said today seems to have put some people's minds at rest but ultimately they can do as they like."

Geoffrey Carpenter, who is retired and lives in Little Drive, said: "We need to see the things said today in writing. Until then we are sceptical."

Residents have until February 28 to comment on the application. So far more than 100 people have written to Arun District Council to object. The district council's licensing panel will consider the application on March 24.