A LANDLORD claims he cannot understand why he has become the victim of a "witch hunt" by angry residents.

The Horse & Groom pub in Leyton Cross Road, Dartford, has applied to open until midnight during the week and until 1am at the weekend.

But residents have collected a 195-name petition opposing the applications for longer hours.

And councillors for the area have sent a letter to the council outlining anti-social behaviour they claim is caused by the pub, including bottles of urine being thrown into their gardens and drinkers vomiting onto lawns.

But pub licensee Lawrence White, 36, says the claims have no basis.

The former car dealer said he had not received any complaints in the past five years.

Mr White took over the pub three years ago from his father.

He says people are following the crowd and signed the peititon because their neighbours had.

Mr White also claims a resident has posted leaflets to surrounding houses, telling them the value and appeal of their houses would be reduced if the licence is approved.

But one Leyton Cross Road resident, who is too scared to be named, says many people in the street have kept quiet about problems in the past but support is now flooding in to stop the extra hours.

She said: "A lot of people have kept their mouths shut and not said much.

"Now if half the number of people who say they will write letters do, then Dartford Council will be bombarded."

Residents say they have had glass thrown in their gardens, footballs kicked at their houses and noise disturbing them in the evening.

Additionally, there are concerns the road surrounding the pub could get congested as the pub offers a takeaway food service.

County councillor Ann Allen said: "The application has brought it to a head.

"Residents have put up with it but this is going to make it worse and it's time to speak up."

Mr White said: "What they are saying is something they are making up.

"It's like being a sheep and not a shepherd. I am definitely the victim of a witch hunt."