The Magnet Inn, on Fishergate, had had its licence suspended for six weeks in the first closure order issued by police in the Wakefield  district.

Insp Richard Sullivan, of Pontefract and Knottingley NPT, said: "There had been a number of complaints from local residents of noise, general disorder and underage drinking in and around the pub.

"We visited the premises and warned the landlady about the complaints but the problem still persisted."

A closure order – under section 161 of the Licensing Act 2003 – was served on the pub landlady on October 17 which automatically triggered a review of the pub's licence, which was suspended at a hearing last week.

The suspension begins after 21 days but the landlady can appeal during that time.

If the appeal is unsuccessful, the pub will not be open for business during Christmas or New Year.

Insp Sullivan said: "This demonstrates our commitment to taking positive action against supervisors of licensed premises who do not adhere to licensing legislation. We listened to the concerns of the local community and acted on them which has resulted in positive action being taken."

Conditions have been imposed on the pub when its licence is back in operation including closing at 11pm and installing CCTV.

A staff training policy is also being     introduced.

l Section 161 of the Licensing Act 2003 provides the power for an inspector to issue a closure order and states that a senior police officer may make a closure order in relation to any relevant premises if he reasonably believes that:

(a) there is, or is likely imminently to be, disorder on, or in the vicinity of and related to, the premises and their closure is necessary in the interests of public safety, or

(b) a public nuisance is being caused by noise coming from the premises and the closure of the premises is necessary to prevent that nuisance.