Pensioners want to call time on plans for live music at a North Oxford pub next to their residential home.

The Gardeners Arms in Plantation Road, has been granted permission for bands to play on Sunday to Thursday between noon and 11pm; Fridays and Saturdays between noon and midnight and until 12.30am during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The city council's licensing sub-committee also gave the pub the green light to play recorded music on Sunday to Thursday between noon and 11pm; Fridays and Saturdays from noon to midnight and until 1am over Christmas and New Year.

The licence includes conditions that music is not played in the garden and all windows and doors must be closed by 10pm during gigs.

The pub's opening hours were also extended from 10.30pm to 11pm on Sundays.

But neighbours are worried the noise will keep them awake at night.

Margaret Harris, 89, who lives in Wyndham House, within yards of the pub, is frustrated that the licence was granted - despite a barrage of opposition from people living in the neighbourhood.

Mrs Harris, whose bedroom and living room overlook the pub, said: "I go to bed very early, about 8pm or 9pm.

"Sometimes there is a lot of talk and laughter, but talk and laughter is very different from loud music."

She said all the residents could do now was wait and see if the music was disruptive.

Her daughter, Pat Edwards, is lodging an appeal against the decision on her behalf.

Prof Vaughn Jones, also of Plantation Road, said he would monitor the noise levels and disruption with a view to make a formal complaint to the council if it became necessary.

He said: "Given the number of letters of concern written, it was a great disappointment the application was approved."

Landlord Paul Silcock reassured residents and said he did not plan to have any live bands at the pub for a few months.

He said: "We are not looking at doing anything with the live music.

"We want to wait and see how the late licence goes first.

"The live music won't be amplified, it is going to be folk groups and acoustic music."

Mr Silcock added that he planned to ask residents what kind of music they would like to have in the pub.

City council spokesman Louisa Dean said conditions on the application had been put in place to limit noise pollution.

She said: "If residents have complaints about a premises they can apply to the Licensing Authority for a review of the licence.

"They will have to present their evidence at a review hearing and the committee does have the power to revoke the licence in appropriate circumstances."