Pub chain J D Wetherspoon has said plans to extend drinking hours at the Foxley Hatch in Purley will not lead to increased antisocial behaviour.

The Foxley Hatch, in Russell Hill Road, has applied to extend its licensing hours to 1am on Friday and Saturday nights. Just a few hundred yards down the road, The Rectory pub has also applied to extend its licence to midnight every night.

Dozens of letters objecting to the licensing applications have been fired off by residents who are concerned any extension in opening hours will lead to an increase in binge drinking and antisocial behaviour.

Ken Trench, vice-chairman of Purley and Kenley neighbourhood partnership, said: "The combination of cheap drinks and late night hours is a mix that could spell danger for Purley.

"We could be pumped with the problems that central Croydon has had and Purley doesn't have the visible police presence to deal with such trouble."

Wetherspoon's has said it would be happy to listen to residents' objections but said the pub was well-run and an extension of drinking hours would not create any problems.

A spokesman said: "Obviously Wetherspoon's has made the application in line with new legislation and in our opinion the pub is popular and well-run and the extension hours we believe would be for the public and give people in Purley another option."

Despite the assurances residents remain unconvinced.

Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway is backing their campaign. He said: "As binge drinking and antisocial behaviour are increasingly affecting our society today, it seems madness to extend the licences of pubs against the wishes of local residents.

"I'm all for extensions for special events but otherwise it seems nonsensical to ignore those who have to live beside these places."

A date has yet to be set when the applications will be discussed by the council's licensing committee.