Residents averse to noisy poets

Poets are normally known for smelling flowers and addressing verses to girls and such like - not for drinking or being rowdy and threatening.

But neighbours of the Poetry Café ©n Holborn - an offshoot of the Poetry Society, frequented by the likes of Ben Elton and Bjork - have complained of sleepless nights because of rowdy behaviour from customers.

One even claimed that she was threatened with violence by a group of what she referred to as "poetry readers".

In a letter to Camden council, Elizabeth Bax who lives next door, said: "Guests from poetry readings have left at up to midnight, then congregated outside the café¬ talking loudly, smoking and drinking."

Poetry Café ­anager Jessica York said in her licence renewal application to Camden: "We know most of our customers and have rarely had problems."

Councillors last night agreed to renew the licence but ruled new members will have to wait two days while their application is vetted. It will review the licence in three months.