NOTTINGHAM City Council wants to shut a pub that it says has caused a persistent nuisance to neighbours.

The Elm Tree Inn, in Forest Fields, was the scene of a shooting in January last year.

In February that year, the council restricted the hours for entertainment to between 2pm and 11pm and a noise limiter was fitted, following complaints from residents.

But 12 months on, residents complained again that the noise, sometimes late at night, was unacceptable.

Now, after a six-month investigation in which officers gathered evidence of noise nuisance, the council has asked for a licence review.

In a submission to the city's licensing department, Barry Horne, the council's corporate director of city development, said: "The evidence gained led noise and pollution control to believe that it is highly unlikely that the Elm Tree could be managed in a manner that does not continue to cause noise nuisance."

The pub in Beech Avenue is closed pending the review. The owner, Trust Inns Limited, said no one was available to comment. Local people are hoping the review will lead to its closure.

One man who has lived in the street for 51 years, but did not want to be named, said the venue had changed in the last decade and was no longer appropriate in a residential area.

He said: "It is attracting unwelcome clientele. The music has been a problem. We can hear it in the house." Late-night taxis, urinating in the street, and litter were also problems, he said. "This is affecting a lot of people."

Neighbours are annoyed that the authorities were not in a position to take tougher action in the aftermath of the shooting. The council could only challenge on the grounds of excessive noise.

The man who was shot, Cameron McKenzie, 22, of Bracknell Crescent, Whitemoor Estate, was admitted to the Queen's Medical Centre. He was released a few days later.

The neighbour said: "Since trading has been suspended there has been a wonderful transformation. It has improved the quality of life tremendously."

charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk