RELIEVED residents are celebrating after their local pub was refused an application to stay open late.

The landlady of the Man of Steel pub on Pontfaen Road, Newport, wanted to open until 1am on week nights and 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.

More than 200 letters from residents opposing the increased hours were sent to Newport Council.

The pub was granted a licence but conditions were attached, including no drinking outside the pub after 8pm.

The opening hours are now 10am to 11.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays; 10am to 12pm on Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 11pm on Sundays.

Birn Joynes, who lives two doors away from the pub on Mulcaster Avenue, said the noise from drinkers keeps her awake at night.

She said: "This is a victory for the residents. Extended opening hours might work elsewhere, but not near so many houses.

"We don't want the pub to close, we just want it to operate with some sympathy for those of us who live nearby."

Residents who wrote to the committee complained about litter, noise and drunken and rowdy behaviour of pub-goers.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "This is otherwise a very quiet estate and not the centre of town.

"I'm glad the committee saw sense and limited the opening hours." Gwent Police also objected to the application, saying that if the pub was granted extended opening hours it would lead to "an increase in incidents of crime, disorder and public nuisance."

Man of Steel landlady Alison Kenny said she was "quite happy" with the outcome.

She said: "The neighbours buying houses knew there was a pub here when they bought them.

"The music doesn't go on all night - it is off by 11.20pm. I've got three young children of my own."

* One Newport pub won the right to longer opening hours despite objections from residents, the police and environmental health officials.

The Friendly Fox in Caerphilly Close, Bassaleg, had conditions imposed on it.

Landlord Paul Wilde said he was "very happy" with the result, which sees the pub being able to open until midnight Monday to Saturday, and until 11pm on Sundays.

He had originally wanted to open until 1am from Monday to Sunday, with extra hours for some public holidays.