The decision to withdraw the licence for Level 3 in Kettering town centre was taken after the borough council's licensing committee heard underage drinkers were allowed in freely, there was anti-social behaviour and poor management at the club.

Chairman of the committee, Derek Zanger, said: "The committee is satisfied there was a complete failure of adequate management."

He went on to explain that the club had an unsafe evacuation arrangement and inadequate measures in place to prevent children buying alcohol.

Kettering Council licensing enforcement officer, Paul Baker, visited the club on June 28.

Addressing the committee, he said: "We arrived at Level 3 just before midnight. My first impression of the customers was that I was looking at an under-16 disco."

Mr Baker asked to see a booking sheet but Mrs Alden was unable to provide one and the club was asked to close.

He said: "I was counting the number of people that left, I counted 98 people who were obviously under the age of 18 and three adults who said they were 18."

The club's owner Gary Alden and Mrs Alden both declined to make any comment after last night's decision.