Angry residents are campaigning against plans to open Colchester's Hippodrome nightclub until 3am.

The new owners of the High Street club - soon to change its name to Zeus 2000 - want to extend the opening times for an extra hour each night.

They have also applied to open until 2am on Good Friday, and to hold under 18s discos at the site.

But nearby homeowners have hit out at the plans, saying it will lead to even more disruption.

County councillor Ken Jones said: "I am very disappointed that the Hippodrome is seeking to increase its opening times further into the small hours.

"Already, with the Hippodrome open until 2am, there is a lot of disturbance to Dutch Quarter residents from revellers shouting, banging doors and starting cars."

He added: "If this new application is granted the disturbance would happen even later at night. Good Friday is currently one day of calm for local residents. They should not have it taken away."

The Hippodrome is being shut on April 10 for four weeks while a major refit takes place. When it re-opens the revamped venue will be called Zeus 2000, and owner Steve Peri is hoping that clubbers will be allowed to stay until 3am as they do at other venues in the county.

There have long been complaints about the behaviour of revellers leaving the club, although previous management have said that they have no control over their customers once they have left the premises.

Mr Jones said: "The proposed change of name will not change behaviour."

Chairman of Colchester Council's licensing sub-committee, Martin Hunt, said: "An application has been put in to extend the opening hours to 3am and to remove the under 18 restriction. "We hope that it will come before the committee on April 1."

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