NEWPORT's Stow Hill residents were yesterday celebrating another victory in their battle to stop a new nightclub opening near their homes.

Following Newport council's refusal to grant Luminar Leisure a public entertainments licence last month, the Licensing Committee at Newport magistrates yesterday forced them to withdraw their application for a liquor licence.

The company, which already owns the Chicago Rock Cafe in Newport, planned to open a Jumpin' Jaks club on the site of the former V3 club.

Residents from Stow Hill and Baneswell, including a representative from St Mary's Presbytery, turned out in force to oppose the liquor licence application.

Legal representation for the protesters was provided by Ray Lawrence, manager of Zanzibar nightclub, on Stow Hill.

Keith Evans, representing Luminar Leisure, requested an adjournment while the company appealed against Newport council.

But the committee ruled that without a public entertainments licence, their application for a liquor licence must be withdrawn.

St Mary's parishioner Robert Morris had come to contest the application. He said: "I think it's just a shade better than we were hoping.

"They've got to go back to the beginning again now and that will put pressure on them." Father Chris Smith, of the Rosiminian Community Institute of Charity, on Stow Hill, said: "All I can say is that the number of nightclubs on Stow Hill to start with is far too many. "There are four or five right outside my bedroom window and the condition of some of these places is awful.

"The number of people who are here today to put in a reasonable complaint is very nice." And Father Jim McKnight has vowed to continue fighting the application.

He said: "We were quite delighted with the result, but we're going to keep on opposing the licence.

"Round one's already been won, and round two's been won - a knockout wouldn't be too bad at this stage."

Luminar Leisure have confirmed they will appeal against Newport council's decision to deny them a public entertainments licence, and if successful, will reapply for a liquor licence.