A Beefeater pub backing on to Sutton Park has been granted a late-night drinks licence despite claims by residents that vandalism and noise is already a problem.

Birmingham City Council's licensing- sub committee approved an application by Whitbread to serve alcohol and food at La Reserve, Boldmere Gate, until 12.30am.

The move met with opposition from The Friends of Sutton Park and the park's own management, who said that customers at the pub already caused a nuisance by discarding glasses in the park and making a noise when leaving the premises.

Park manager John Porter feared the decision would set a precedent and lead to applications for extended opening hours from other licensed premises in Sutton Park.

"We have concerns about the domino effect," Mr Porter added.

Antonia Watts, secretary of The Friends of Sutton Park, told the sub-committee that La Reserve was run "solely on a commercial basis" with no regard for the status of the park, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

She said: "Sutton Park is a national nature reserve and should be afforded special consideration.

"Glasses are scattered about the pub car park and on to the park itself.

"There is already a lot of noise when people leave the pub and any extension of hours would merely exacerbate the problems."

La Reserve licensee Andy Burton admitted the pub once had a bad reputation.

However, problems had disappeared following a £1 million refit in the 18 months since he and his wife took charge.

Mr Burton said: "We have made fantastic progress and are turning around the clientele. We try to stop any drinking taking place in the park and we are making a conscious effort to make sure people do not take glasses out into the park.

"There is now no evidence of anti-social behaviour at La Reserve, which is ultimately a Beefeater restaurant."

The sub-committee agreed that La Reserve could open until 12.30am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, until midnight on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and until 11.30pm on Sundays.