Magistrates have rejected an appeal by the Great Western Bar, Didcot, for late-night opening on Fridays and Saturdays.

The decision is part of a continuing crackdown on rowdyism in the town. Police and residents have also been concerned over violent incidents in the town.

The magistrates' decision means that the bar will close at midnight, instead of 1am. Great Western Bar landlord Ted Owen was not available for comment, but assistant manager Steve McGlone claimed the pub was being made a scapegoat for problems caused by drinkers and clubbers returning to Didcot from elsewhere, as well as customers from other pubs in the town centre.

Mr McGlone said: "They get off trains and buses at Didcot Parkway Station opposite the Great Western Bar and may cause trouble on their way home."

He said that for months Mr Owen and Great Western staff - including door staff and DJs - had made every effort to co-operate with police and residents in reducing nuisance by customers attending weekend Steamers party discos.

But residents said they were kept awake until the early hours by customers. Front gardens, fences and walls had been vandalised.

Anne Tomline, chairman of the district council's licensing sub-committee, said: "It was with the local community's best interests in mind that we refused the application, and we are extremely pleased the magistrates have supported this decision."