Residents of Dunelm, Barnes, say they have suffered many sleepless nights caused by the nearby Total garage's 24-hour alcohol licence.

They claim the opening hours attract scores of drunks from across the city, who are plaguing residents with antisocial behaviour, noise and litter.

Now the Echo understands bouncers may be called in to man the doors during peak hours.

Campaigner Peter O'Connor, 50, who has collected a petition calling for the garage's licensing hours to be slashed, said: "At the moment they close the doors at about 10pm and serve through the hatch, but they are saying they are going to open the doors and serve people inside but have bouncers on the doors.

"I can't believe they're bringing in bouncers – it really is like the Blue Monkey.

"We really want it to close on a night time, but if Total are quite willing to do this then I think we haven't got much choice and we're going to have to go along with it."

Neighbour David Carverhill, 61, who lives with wife Jean, is dubious about the plans.

David, who suffers from yobs sitting on his garden wall and throwing litter on to his property, said: "It seems ridiculous having to do that and it's not something that is going to last.

"It's something that will keep the peace but it is not a long-term strategy at all. We have got to stop the licence altogether."

Peter High, head of environmental services at Sunderland City Council, said: "Sunderland City Council has been made aware of issues surrounding the premises and discussions are taking place with all the interested parties to secure a solution."

Inspector Jackie Clark, of Northumbria Police, said: "As a result of community consultation by our neighbourhhood policing team, we are aware that residents have concerns about noise and litter. However, they have not made complaints directly to us.

"We would advise residents who have concerns of this type to contact their neighbourhood teams and, where appropriate, to keep a diary of incidents so that we can gather evidence about disturbances occurring in and around the garage."

Total has told the Echo that the garage is working with residents, Sunderland City Council and the police to allay residents' concerns, and has introduced restricted trading times during the night and posters to encourage people to be respectful to residents.