People living near three Abingdon pubs have complained to the town council about the licensees' plans to apply for longer hours.

The Broad Face, in Bridge Street, wants to open from 11am-1am seven days a week, but some people living in nearby Thames Street are worried that longer hours will disturb their peace and quiet in the early hours.

Similar objections have been lodged with the licensing authority about The Ox, at the bottom of Oxford Road, and the Old Anchor, in St Helen's Wharf. The Ox wants to open from 1pm-midnight, on Monday to Wednesday, 10.30am-midnight on Thursdays, 11am-12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11am-midnight on Sundays. The Ox is a popular music venue and neighbours are worried about more noise.

The Old Anchor is seeking to open from 10.30am-midnight, on Monday-Thursday and Sunday, and from 10.30am-1am on Fridays and Saturdays. But the proposed hours have upset elderly residents who live in the Christ's Hospital almshouses, in Long Alley, behind the pub. They are worried about late night noise if the pub stays open longer.

Other pubs in Abingdon have applied to extend their hours until midnight or 1am. Most of these are for weekends. The new laws allow the public -- worried about binge drinking, crime and antisocial behaviour -- to object to longer licensing hours.

Under the old system, magistrates' courts dealt with applications. Residents had limited scope to object, but now they have a greater say through their councils and the licensing committee.

The police have their concerns about longer drinking hours, but have greater powers to close premises for 24 hours without warning if there are problems with bad behaviour inside or outside pubs.