A POPULAR Canvey pub faces an investigation following complaints of underage drinking and fighting.

Police have asked Castle Point Council to carry out a licence review on the King Canute in Canvey Road after several incidents in the past 14 months.

Officers have told the council these have included:Disturbances, drunkenness, persons under 18 using the premises, assaults and criminal damage.

Pub management were working with police to try to rectify the problems and bouncers had been employed to man the door.

These have been withdrawn and officers say there has been an increase in crime and disorder.

Police spokesman Alan Jones said: "We have become increasingly aware of what we think are breaches of the pub licensing objectives and as a result have called for a review of its licence."

Representatives from the pub and the police will have the opportunity to give evidence to Castle Point Council's licensing committee.

The committee will then have the option to either revoke the licence, suspend it for three months, modify the licence, impose certain conditions on the licence or remove the licence supervisor.

Andrew Roache, spokes- man for Mitchells and Butlers brewery which owns the pub, said: "We are fully aware of our responsibilities to the local community and neighbouring residents.

"We will continue to work closely with the licensing officer and local authorities and will be happy to comply with any legal obligations confirmed in the licence review."

Residents can make their own comments on the application until Tuesday, May 6 by writing to the Licensing Department, Castle Point Council offices, Kiln Road, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 1TF.