: A Bexleyheath pub could be at the centre of a legal test case about whether bars with DJs need entertainment licences.

Bexley Council is considering mounting a prosecution against the Crook Log based pub, Bar Ice ,on the issue.

The pub, which won its drinks licence after a battle with its neighbours, is under fire again.

The owners of the pub were warned by Bexley Council they were allowing music and dancing without a public entertainment licence and could face fines of up to £20,000 and six months in prison.

A number of conditions were agreed by the temporary licensee including more tables and chairs to fill the empty bar space and prevent dancing.

But residents continue to be upset by the pub's activities.

One said: "People are coming out of the bar completely drunk. They have no regard for pedestrians or property and seem to think the public highway is a public urinal."

The resident, who was too frightened to be identified, claimed the new tables and chairs, bought to prevent dancing, were cleared away on music and DJ nights.

Bexley Council says it has been making announced inspections and found nothing wrong.

A spokesman added: "Dancing does require a licence. DJs are a grey area and we may have to take a case to court to set a precedent. Bar Ice did apply for a public entertainment licence and then withdrew it."

Stuart Williams, one of the owners of Bar Ice, said: "How do people know it is our customers urinating? Everyone is out of our building and cleared from the area by 11.45pm.

"We try and do as much as we can for the residents. We have CCTV cameras and had residents' meetings, the last of which went well. "

He also denied dancing took place in Bar Ice and said there was more trouble at other pubs in the Broadway than at his pub.

Ed Fortune