One of Bradford's most famous nightspots faces a battle for its future next week.

The Town & Country Club on Manningham Lane, formerly known as Penningtons, is having its entertainment licence challenged by the police.

Bradford Council's licensing panel will meet on Wednesday to hear arguments from both sides and decide whether to let the venue continue to operate.

Paul Masterantuono, co-owner of the venue has applied for renewal of the licence.

West Yorkshire Police have objected, however, on the grounds officers discovered what they describe as 'allegedly unregistered' doorstaff operating there in November last year.

In a letter which will go before the committee, police have said inquiries are ongoing, but if proven, the incident would be a breach of licensing conditions.

A residents' petition objecting to the application on the grounds of noise and disturbance has also been presented to the panel.

Mr Masterantuono, and co-owner Paul Sewell, reopened the club as the Town & Country a year ago with a ska show featuring Bad Manners and The Beat.

Since then Al Martino, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and former Marillion frontman Fish have all performed.

Mr Masterantuono declined to comment on the bouncer registration problem. However he is expected to attend Wednesday's hearing to present his evidence to members.

He said: "I am sure we can get our licence."

Deputy chairman of Bradford Council's licensing committee, Councillor Stuart Hanson, said: "We take every application on its merits and we will do what we believe to be the right thing.

"Our decision is purely down to the evidence in front of us. We have no desire to close places of entertainment down, but we do need to see that they are run according to the standards set."

l Last week the committee rejected an appeal by Dean Loynes, chairman of the Bradford Inner City Licensees' Association, against the closure of his nightclub. The Boilerhouse in School Street, Bradford, was shut down following a drugs raid in December.