PUB bosses have been fined almost £500 for letting customers drink and smoke outside late at night.

Enforcement officers from Southampton City Council took the licence holder and manager of the Hare and Hounds pub in Harefield, Southampton, to court after complaints from neighbours.

The pub, which is surrounded by houses on Cheriton Avenue, is not allowed to let customers use the patio area outside the front entrance after 10pm, in a bid to avoid residents being disturbed.

Despite two warnings, officers witnessed several people drinking and smoking outside the pub after the prohibited time in July last year.

At Southampton Magistrates Court, licence holder Nicola Sullivan, 42, and manager Andrew Rose, 42, were each fined £175. They were both also ordered to pay £50 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, after pleading guilty to breaching the Licensing Act.