A TEST-CASE licensing application to allow an East Lancashire pub to open at breakfast during the World Cup has been adjourned following a national hearing in the High Court.

Stephen Butterworth of the Cock and Magpie pub in Whitworth, Rossendale, appeared before Rossendale Magistrates to serve extended hours on four dates in June.

It was the first application in the Pennine police division which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

The case was adjourned pending a national case taken to the High Court by Scottish and Newcastle brewery.

Mr Butterworth applied for extension of hours from 10am to noon on Sunday, June 2, for England's opening game against Sweden, from 7am to 11am on Wednesday, June 12, for the last qualifying game of the group against Nigeria and from 10am to noon on Sundays, June 21 and 30 for the semi final and final.

He told the court: "I have been licensee for seven years and work very closely with the neighbourhood. We have a great family atmosphere."

He added: "I have never had trouble with the police and have never had to call the police."

He told the court he regarded the games as special occasions because they were good football matches and that he thought England had a good chance of reaching the final stages before handing magistrates a signed agreement from immediate neighbours that they had no objection to the application.

Licensing officer PC Gill Sherratt asked for an adjournment pending the High Court decision which is due in two to three weeks time.

She added: "We need to wait that decision."

Mr Butterworth was told he magistrates felt it was the right course of action and then they could make a decision in the light of developments.

Outside court, PC Sherratt said case law dating back to 1978 was that World Cup football was not a special occasion.

Mr Butterworth said outside court that he accepted the magistrates' hands were tied to some extent pending the High Court decision although magistrates in Northamptonshire had granted similar applications.

If the application was granted he intended to provide hot breakfasts and hot drinks as well as serving alcohol.

The case was adjourned until April 17.