A pub has been given the thumbs-up to provide music and dancing until 1am.

The Lighthouse in Marine Parade East, Clacton, applied to change its public entertainment licence.

Its former licence meant it could provide music and dancing from midday-11pm from Monday to Saturday.

At Tendring Council's licensing sub-committee on Thursday, it was agreed the pub could also have music and dancing from 11am-1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Northern Leisure, which runs the nearby Rumours nightclub, had objected to the plan on the grounds that there was no need for extra hours.

But Ewen MacGregor, for Lighthouse owner's Greene King, said the firm had invested £600,000 in the former Cordy's restaurant and had not applied for a licence immediately as it had wanted to "get a feel for the town".

He added there was a need for the licence and that the issue of competition was not one the sub-committee could take into account.

He added the entertainment on offer would be "middle of the road chart music".

A representative of Northern Leisure was present but declined to make any comment about the firm's objection.

Councillors granted the licence provisionally until work is carried out on the bar when it will be permanent.

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