Residents angered by alcohol-fueled misbehaviour they say is linked to an Ulverston nightclub have dropped their legal challenge to get the place shut down, reports Jennie Dennett.

Neighbours of Buffers nightclub, in Station Approach, had been gearing up for their day in Crown Court to stop the venue getting its drinks licence renewed.

But after considering that they may have to pay the court costs should they lose their fight, they have officially withdrawn their objection.

"The costs of a three-day hearing, which is how long it could have taken to put our case, may have been upwards of £15,000," said residents' action group spokesman Ian Barnes. "It was a risk from our point of view. A lot of people in the group are pensioners and really none of us have large amounts of money to splash around.

"What is frustrating is that people in the street can't have a democratic say against something they feel is wrong without risking large amounts of their own money."

Furness magistrates had refused to renew Buffers drinks licence in February after hearing objections from residents of Princes Street, Springfield Road and other areas about anti-social behaviour from club goers. They complained about routine vandalism, sleepless nights prompted by late-night shouting, and revellers urinating, defacating and even having sex in their gardens.

Buffers appealed against the decision and, after an initial hearing was adjourned, the case was due to be heard at Lancaster Crown Court on Monday, June 7.

Following the residents' withdrawal, the appeal is now uncontested and the judge will not hear fresh witness accounts about their complaints.

However, the court will still have all the evidence to consider from the magistrates' hearing.

Mr Barnes said group members were still planning to attend the case and hear the judge's final ruling.

They are also planning to continue their bid to have the club's public entertainment licence withdrawn.

The licence was temporarily renewed this year by South Lakeland District Council until June 30 on condition that the club management work with police to tackle anti-social behaviour and after-hours loitering.

Yet Mr Barnes said residents were still having to put up with bad behaviour despite efforts to get revellers away from the club quietly.

"We don't want this kind of trouble in our area," he said. "It's not really a fight against Buffers or Buffers management, it's a fight against the location it's in."

South Lakeland's licensing committee is due to consider the matter later this month or in July.