DRINKERS will be left in the dark after councillors refused permission for a Halesowen pub to light up an outdoor bar and seating area.

Marstons Plc had applied for retrospective permission to keep a recently-built 3m high bench and bar structure with 3.6m high wooden posts in the beer garden at the Fairfield Inn, Hurst Green.

Dudley’s development control committee allowed the structure, but chairman Councillor Qada Zada branded the Fairfield Road pub's outdoor lights, suspended between the posts "a step too far" and councillors refused to back that part of the application.

Cllr Zada added: "I can understand the need to have an area that people can enjoy but at the expense of neighbours is not something I can support.”