TWO members' clubs in Huddersfield are the first to be given late licences under new laws.

Underbank Working Men's Club and Kirkburton Liberal Club now have the right to serve alcohol later than the old 11pm deadline thanks to the new Licensing Act.

But some of the clubs' neighbours are worried the later hours will mean more noise, crime and litter on their streets.

Kirkburton Liberal Club will now be able to stay open until 2am on Saturday nights and 11pm on Sundays. It will also be allowed to open until 1am on Bank Holidays.

Underbank Club applied to serve until 11.30pm on weekdays and 12.30am at the weekends. On Bank Holidays they will be able to serve until 1am.

The decisions were made in private by councillors David Sheard, Christine Iredale and Jean Calvert at a meeting at the Town Hall, yesterday. They are the first of hundreds set to be heard before the act comes in to force on November 24.

Opposing the Kirkburton application, Simon Walker, who lives opposite the club, said he was worried noise would increase.

"Our predominant concern is noise," he said. "The Liberal Club already produces a lot of noise especially in warm weather when the door is left open.

"If they have a licence until 2am the noise will go on until then."

But club secretary Susan Hill said the club had been there for more than 100 years and there had been no complaints about noise.

She also said members were well-behaved and police had not been called to the club since 1948.

Seven people living in Dunford Road, Holmfirth, opposite the Underbank Club opposed their application.

Club secretary David Mawhinney welcomed the decision.

He encouraged any people who are worried about the noise to talk to him.

He said: "We had no complaints until we applied for this licence.

"If people have a problem they should come to us and we will try and sort it out."

Conditions imposed on the club by councillors included making sure all windows and doors were shut when live music was being played.

Jan Mikosek, of Dunford Road, who spoke out against the new licence, said people would be keeping an eye on the club.

"I am not against the club being there - in fact I think it is important," he said.

"But at times it is loud and it is disturbing. However I think the decision is fair as long as the conditions are kept."