EVERY pub in East Lancashire will be mailed a 'call to arms' to fight the Government's licensing plans next week.

The national mailshot from the bosses of Shepherd Neame, Britain's oldest brewery, and Wetherspoon seeks to explain the alleged pitfalls of the changes.

The shake-up of the licensing laws will not only see extended hours.

They could make pubs produce and comply with detailed operating plans that make them less able to react quickly to customers' wishes, such as opening at breakfast time to screen World Cup matches on TV.

Pubs might come under political control by local councils, which will be able to create local licensing policies.

Live musicians could also be banned from pubs, except for those with a specific entertainment licence.

This could see the end of the present rules allowing one or two live musicians to play in pubs which do not have an entertainment licence.

Stuart Donnelly of the Royal Duke Hotel in Blackburn said: "I feel it should be 24-hour opening - when you go abroad it is. I got it for the football but you shouldn't have to appeal for it."

Neil Murphy, landlord of the Ram in Cliviger, said: "I haven't heard about the changes, but local councils are more in touch with local communities rather than magistrates in Burnley or wherever."