PLANS to allow round-the-clock drinking in pubs and clubs over the New Year period have been backed by Lancashire Constabulary.

Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw announced the decision to allow bars to open from 11am on New Year's Eve until 11pm on Millennium Day.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police: "We were fully consulted before the decision was taken and broadly welcome the plan because we recognise that most licensees act very responsibly.

"Our main concern is public safety and our hope is for everybody to enjoy their New Year celebrations in a safe and happy environment". The 36-hour opening will be the longest since the licensing laws were introduced during World War One to discourage the drunkenness of munition workers.

And police have warned that everyone has a responsibility to ensure that their celebrations don't go too far.

"Anybody planning a special event should be aware of their responsibilities as far as safety is concerned and they should also keep in touch with us so that we know about all the main events going on".

The decision marks a triumph for the brewers who have been pressing for the relaxation of licensing laws.

The Rev Carl Schaefer, of St Thomas with St Jude CE, said: "As long as people remember that it is the 2000th anniversary of Christ's birth, then that is all that matters."

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