BRITAIN'S drinkers were set to toast new plans to allow pubs to open up to 12 hours a day - except on Sundays.

Proposals to call time on the country's archaic drink laws and allow pubs to open from 11 in the morning to 11 at night were unveiled by the Home Secretary.

But Douglas Hurd said he would continue to be tough on alcohol abuse, particularly drunken driving.

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