Police in Bury say a town centre nightclub should be blocked from extending its hours after a young woman was raped.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has launched a formal objection to a request by the owners of Club 66 to extend its opening hours this weekend to 5am on both Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2.

Police have recommended that the council’s licensing hearing sub committee reject a temporary event notice (TEN) requested by the Silver Street club’s owner after “numerous breaches of their current premises licence".

GMP says it is "aware of at least one occasion" where the club has allowed entry to an underage girl who was "raped following leaving the premises".

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Bury district licensing officer, PC Peter Eccleston, said approval of the temporary license create the “potential for crime and disorder which causes a public safety risk” and expressed concern that the club have released very few details about the event they wish to hold.

He said: “GMP is aware of information relating to numerous breaches of their current premises license, which includes not providing CCTV to the police when requested and within the allotted timescales.

“There have also been occasions when the premises has allowed the admission of patrons beyond their current operating schedule for which warning letters have been sent.

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“Preparations are being made to submit a review of the premises licence.”

The council have received recommendations not to grant the temporary extension to the licence, which would allow the club to remain open between the hours of 4am and 5am on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday April 2.

It would also allow the sale of alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment.

Club 66 has defended itself and said it is a "safe" premises.

A spokesman said: "This a safe club, we have ample security and unfortunately issues happen in Bury but they are not from our premise they are from the surrounding areas.

"We understand police are not always available so we ensure to take extra care and bring extra security to keep the premise and its customers safe.

"We are the only premises that have seven to nine security staff every night.

"Our security have helped many other venues in the surrounding area when fights have broken out there.

"We help to support our community and we are a no nonsense venue that will intervene at the first sign of trouble to avoid and conflicts or escalations.

"We also provide free anti-spiking items along with following the Ask for Angela initiative."

The club also said that its security team acted responsibly on the night the young woman was attacked and has submitted video evidence to the police. 

The spokesman added: "As a business we have acted under the licence objects of duty of care for vulnerable people."

The outcome of the application will be decided by the sub committee on Friday, March 31.