GROWING concern that granting a drinks licence to a village bowls club would lead to noise and anti-social behaviour have been quashed.On Tuesday Caister Bowls Club admitted to being over judicious in its licensing application.

GROWING concern that granting a drinks licence to a village bowls club would lead to noise and anti-social behaviour have been quashed.

On Tuesday Caister Bowls Club admitted to being over judicious in its licensing application.

The club had asked Great Yarmouth Borough Council if its year-old pavilion could sell alcohol, play live and recorded music and hold dance sessions for up to 15 hours a day for the general public.

Because of the far-reaching application, 17 residents had raised objections that the club off Allendale Road would attract anti-social behaviour and create noise problems from late night revellers drinking and dancing the night away.

However, the club confirmed it only had plans to open up a small bar for its 60 members and visiting teams so they could enjoy a few quiet drinks after matches and play the occasional CD to celebrate members' birthdays.

During a borough council licensing committee, club official Mike Cotton admitted residents' fears had been stirred up as the club had filled out a blanket application form asking for permission to hold most types of entertainment from between 8am and 11pm.

Asking for the application just to cover after-match beers for players and small scale birthday celebrations for members he told the committee: “It is not as if we are a boozy lot of youngsters. We are reasonable people with homes to get back to.

“The average age must be 65 plus and there really should be no comparisons between the bowls club members and noisy football supporters. After a bowls match we want to be able to sit down and drink a half a beer or a beer. The bowls club has no wish to fall out with our neighbours - we are part of the community.”

The licensing committee agreed to grant a premises licence just allowing the sale of alcohol and the playing of recorded music to the Caister Bowls Club.

Mr Cotton said that the bar would be open to members, other teams and spectators from 11am to 10.30pm from April to October.

After meeting he said was very happy the club had been granted its licence and that any residents who encounter noise problems should contact the club immediately.