CLUB 20 has had its alcohol licence revoked after councillors claimed there was a "clear connection" between the venue and a string of violent incidents.

The Hosier Street nightclub faced the penalty after Thames Valley Police called it in for a second review in six months over concerns its events were fuelling public disorder.

Officers claimed that despite the manager and security team showing signs of improvement they were left at their "wit's end" in their bid to curb late night fights in the town centre.

Among the brawls which saw the club called up for review was a 30 to 40 man scrap on December 5 in which belts were used as weapons and people were seen to have their heads kicked in on CCTV showed to the committee.

PC Simon Wheeler told committee members he "did not know" whether the problems arose from the venue, the customers or the events it hosts but that full revocation of their alcohol licence was "the only way to go".

He added: "I cannot see that there is anything else we can do to ensure that the public are safe."

Manager and designated premises supervisor Emma Wilson took issue with earlier comments from PC Wheeler which linked urban nights with violence.

She said: "The music we were playing was no different to any other venues, it was not the music it was the individuals."

The committee were also told how her team had been proactive in working with police including cancelling a gig with Tim Westwood off the back of security concerns.

She added however that communication appeared to be a "one-way street" with officers rarely, if ever, replying to her weekly updates on their latest risk assessments.

PC Simon Wheeler denied the claim and said he was "disgusted" at comments made by barrister Adonis Daniel that there was a lack of police presence whenever the club faced issues.

Mr Daniel said: "This is a hot spot, the police say they have identified sporadic violence at Club 20, only on every occasion they have talked about there has been a singular lack of police presence."

Club promoter Hari Sewell, who was inside Club 20 on the night of the largest fight out in the neighbouring streets said there were no signs of violence at the venue on that day.

He said: "There were so many people from so many places and ages and it just went off with so much love."

Giving the verdict that the licence would be revoked chairman Councillor Paul Woodward said: "The committee is happy that there is a clear connection between the venue's customers and incidents of public disorder."

Speaking after the meeting manager Emma Wilson said: "We feel that we have made significant efforts over the last six months to improve the premises and this was recognised by the police.

"We are disappointed that the council did not give enough credit to the things that we have done.

"We feel one specific genre has been targeted unjustifiably.

"We are now going to review our position and will be lodging an appeal.

"In the meantime the club will continue to operate as normal.

"We would however want to make it clear, as we did in the hearing, that we do not condone violence or anti-social behaviour and we will take strong action against those that participate in those."