Police Scotland has stood by its decision to pursue the permanent closure of a high-profile Glasgow nightclub and prestigious arts venue despite its bid being thrown out as unlawful.

The force insisted its use of 'closure order' legislation for only the second time in the city was "necessary and proportionate" in its attempt to close down The Arches.

Licensing chiefs ruled it could not use the legislation as there had been no violent disorder in its complaint against the venue.

Lawyers for The Arches also successfully argued the police had erred twice, using the wrong legislation in its request for the club's licence to axed.

It is the second time in a year Police Scotland has failed in its attempts to have the venue shut, following last year's death of a teenager who had taken drugs on the premises.

It is understood to be latest in a series of complaints the Police Scotland has made to the Glasgow Licensing Board which have been dismissed for erring in law and that those administering the system has voiced frustrations at repeated blunders by the force.

It submitted a request for a closure order to the city's licensing board after 26 people at the venue on Saturday night were reported to the procurator fiscal for alleged drugs and alcohol offences. A member of staff is understood to be amongst those reported.

A 30-year-old woman was found inside the venue in the early hours of Sunday, it what the club said was an "alcohol related episode".

Had Police Scotland succeeded in its bid following incidents at the club last weekend, the entire Arches venues would have been affected, closing one of the country's leading arts venues. There would have been no right of appeal.

The venue can continue to trade until such a time as a fresh review of its licence is held, most likely within the next few weeks.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland, area commander for the city centre, said: "Keeping people safe is our highest priority and I remain satisfied that the closure order was both necessary and proportionate in the circumstances.

"We acknowledge the decision of the licensing board and will now continue to work with the Arches to maximise the safety of those attending the club."

During the brief hearing, The Arches' lawyer, advocate Robert Skinner, argued the police use of closure order law, which he said was expected to be applied in instances such as police intelligence on football disorder, was draconian as there was clearly no violence at the club.

Mr Skinner said: "Police have confused and conflated the two wholly separate processes for premises reviews and closure orders.

"The effect of the closure order is to close the premises completely. The Arches also stages art shows, exhibitions and theatre.

"It has other functions than just a club and these events have no risk of disorder. This hearing must not be used to by-pass the normal procedures."

He said that on the night in question "a tiny fraction of those attending were found in possession of drugs" following the application of "rigorous search policies" and and that there was "one woman who has drunk too much".

The 11 alcohol offences resulted from police searching clubbers in the street after they had been moved out of the venue by the force.

Mr Skinner added: "There is no evidence of any disorder. If anyone wishes to raise a complaint then they should so through the review procedures. You cannot bypass the act in this way. This procedure should stop right here."