Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith has called on Redbridge Council to "stand firm" against a controversial nightclub which has launched a legal challenge to having its hours cut.

Funky Mojoe in High Road, South Woodford, was ordered to close at 11.30pm at weekends by a Redbridge Council licensing committee last month following a string of complaints from residents.

The committee was shown CCTV footage of various fights and anti-social behaviour outside the venue, including a car being driven into a crowd of people.

Last week it was confirmed that the nightspot had appealed against the committee's decision - but had also begun proceedings for a judicial review at the High Court.

The council previously ordered the club to cut its closing time to 1am at weekends but decided in 2011 to reach a compromise time of 2.30am rather than face Funky Mojoe in court.

In a statement, Mr Duncan Smith, urged Redbridge Council not to give in to the nightspot.

He said: “It is time to call time on Funky Mojoe’s.

"This nightclub is in the wrong place and the local residents have suffered enormously for a long time as a result.

"The council must stand firm on this.”

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council told the Guardian last week: "The council has been notified that an appeal has been lodged on behalf of the licence holder of Funky Mojoe.

"The council has been notified that the licence holder is also seeking a judicial review and our legal team will be considering the objections raised.

"We are not able to comment any further on the legal process at this stage."

Pending the outcome of the appeal, the club is still allowed to stay open until its current licensed closing time of 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Funky Mojoe is yet to respond to the Guardian's requests for a comment.