DRINKERS will be able to see in Christmas and the New Year with a pint in hand - thanks in part to the Lancaster and Morecambe Citizen.

Two months ago we revealed that boozers could be under threat if pub bosses didn't get their applications for new-style licences to Lancaster City Council by August 6.

It could have meant thousands of festive period revellers facing a dry time.

The take-up rate in June was lower than the national average - but now around 75 per cent of applications have been submitted. And that is well up on the figure of around 60 per cent.

"Thanks in part to the Citizen the take up rate has been better than many people expected," says city council licensing officer Andrew Bartlett.

"National figures suggest around 40 per cent of pubs will miss out on a licence - but in Lancaster and Morecambe that figure will be no higher than 25 per cent. We have done better in this area than people feared.

"Maybe the criticism of the council has in this case been unfounded. People were saying that we have not managed the change in licence well. But the figures suggest otherwise."

Mr Bartlett feels some small clubs may have decided not to bother with a licence as they do not trade enough. Others may have missed the boat and will have to apply from scratch.

"I expected 650 applications from licensed premises and have received 500. There are around 200 late night food and refresh-ment premises as well, but they still have time to apply," he says.

Any pubs missing the deadline will have to apply for a licence from scratch - that could mean they will be closed after November 24.