A nightclub has been ordered to close earlier after a string of violent incidents including one where police had to use tear gas and another where an officer was kicked in the head.

Boogie Lounge, in Waterloo Road, Epsom, must bring last orders forward to 1am on Friday and Saturdays and midnight during the rest of the week, a licensing panel decided at Epsom Council yesterday.

Other restrictions requested by police included a ban on super strength beers and spirit mixtures above 5.5 abv, entry for over 21s and the use of plastic cups only.

Police warned the panel that the town's night time economy had become a concern for police at a county level.

But the club's manager Ish Iglesias told the Epsom Guardian today: "We are extremely disappointed at the decision made by the licensing panel.

"We feel that many of the requirements listed by the panel are unreasonable and against the wishes of our customers.

"Regrettably we will be forced to take this matter to the courts and are confident that this decision will be overturned."

Its current licensing hours are 10am to 2am on Monday to Saturday and noon to 1am on Sunday.

Under the new restrictions, alcohol can be served from noon - although the restrictions will only take effect 21 days after Boogie Lounge gets written notification.

If the club does appeal, the restrictions would not come into force until after it has been heard.

Police, who applied for the licence review, also requested the installation of CCTV, patrols by door staff, high visibility jackets for bouncers and 25 person limit on queues.

They recorded 48 incidents, including underage drinking and attacks on door staff, between January and October.

Its application said tear gas was used on fighting revellers in September and a police sergeant was kicked in the head during a fight outside the club in August.

It said: "Epsom town centre night-time economy has now become a concern to Surrey Police both locally and at a county level. This has highlighted an increase in the number of recorded incidents at Boogie Lounge nightclub."

Mr Iglesias said they were not made aware of the majority of the 48 incidents before police requested the review.

He said: "Many of those are positive actions by ourselves and in support the community, many issues not even relating to the venue but have been listed against the venue.

"As a responsible venue we will respond and help any town centre venue or local business in the town centre be it bar, restaurant or train station as we always have done."

He added: "We have worked closely with numerous local stakeholders including the police, local authority and other businesses in Epsom for the past six years to ensure the safety of our customers and the local community and are a strong advocate of Pub Watch."

Councillor Clive Smitheram, who chaired the panel, said: "In everything we do we have to keep in mind the impact of a licensed premise on the greater community.

"We are not setting out to destroy local businesses. We are endeavouring to create a situation everybody can live with."

In a written representation, Tony Axelrod, who lives in Hudson House, said his family are regularly woken up when youths gather outside the nightclub and disperse at the end of the night.

Mr Axelrod said: "It is unreasonable and disproportionate for residents to have to endure on a regular basis, as they do now, noise nuisance up to 2.30/2.14am midweek and at weekends."

If the nightclub does not lodge an appeal then the new restrictions will take effect 21 days after they get written notification.

In its representation, the planning authority said while ensuring there is a thriving night-time economy, they want to make sure the town centre has " an improved sense of safety and security".

It said: "To this end we are committed to ensuring that existing users and new development are not antisocial but reinforce a family friendly atmosphere for all users of the area whatever the time of day or night."