Neighbours who put up a fight against drunken rowdiness near their homes fear they could face sleepless nights for six months.

Landlord Dean Bull has been granted permission to keep his beer garden at the Billy pub, Harwich, open into the early hours.

But Tendring Council's licensing sub-committee has said a sound lobby should be put up within six months to help keep the noise down.

The lobby would be between the bar and rear courtyard.

Mr Bull wanted the times extended to 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and to 11pm on remaining days, so people could smoke in the beer garden.

He argued this would stop them spilling out onto the street, which was causing disturbance to residents.

For the time being, people are allowed to use the beer garden for smoking after until half past midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm on other days.

It will be reviewed in six months' time.

Residents strongly objected against the application to extended opening times there.

They claimed they were already victims of nuisance drinkers who urinate and vomit against their houses, and cause a racket when leaving the pub.

Mr Bull, landlord of the Billy for eight years, said he had no problems with nuisance noise until the smoking ban came into force in July.

He suggested limiting the number of smokers in the courtyard to six and having door staff to keep tabs on them.