Plans to stop New Year's Eve revellers in Forest Hill from gorging themselves on fried chicken due to crime fears have been branded clucking madness.

Every year, Morley's in Westbourne Terrace extends its opening hours so partgoers can line their stomachs with delicious poultry pieces.

But police have objected this time around - citing concerns over crime and disorder in the area.

However, Morley's boss Kandasamy Krishnarajah claims the chicken ban - coming at a time when the London Fire Brigade is urging people to get a takeaway rather than cook whilst drunk - could cause more problems than it solves.

He even claims that starving revellers could get so desperate for a fried chicken fix that they break into his shop and raid it for food.

Mr Krishnarajah, who wants to stay open until 5am, said: "If people have empty stomachs and drink too much alcohol there's even more trouble.

"If they have food, they're happy. Otherwise they might break in and take the chicken or whatever - not only our shop but any shop."

He added: "It's surprised us. Business is affected - we have to pay the bills and make money out of it."

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Chicken nightmare: David Lister called a previous Forest Hill chicken festival "pandemonium"

But in his objection letter to Lewisham Council, licensing officer Police Sergeant Matt McGrath said: "Several noise complaints have been received by the local policing team regarding noise complaints from other late night venues close by and this would increase allowing another venue to remain open.

"It is felt that the venue, if allowed to remain open, would encourage persons to congregate rather than disperse and the risk of crime and disorder would increase as many of these persons would be under the influence of alcohol."

It's not the first time Forest Hill has got itself in a flap over problem poultry. In 2009, 20,000 jerk chicken fans descended on the Horniman Museum for a festival dedicated to the food, creating chaos.

Residents claimed cars were parked in people's drives and ravenous hordes brawled in the street over parking spaces, with Sydenham Rise man David Lister describing the scenes as "pandemonium".

A Lewisham Council licensing committee will decide on Morley's plans on Tuesday.