New Year pubs 'open 36 hours'.

Byline: IAN HERNON Political Correspondent

THE government today unveiled plans to allow pubs to open all hours every New Year's Eve.

But the boost for drinkers and revellers is likely to spark outrage from Churches because some years it will ? for the first time ever ? allow licensed drinking during Sunday mornings.

Twenty-four-hour drinking was tried out on Millennium Eve and last year, and the experiment disproved some who predicted it would lead to more drunken lawlessness.

Licensing minister Kim Howells has now issued a consultation document on proposals allowing pubs to open for an unbroken period of 36 hours. Police, magistrates and local councils will have the power to restrict hours in pubs with a history of trouble.

Liverpool West Derby MP Bob Wareing welcomed the move, saying: "Our licensing laws are ridiculous in any case. They lead to more drunkenness not less in the rush towards drinking-up time." But the Department of Culture said that ministers were also keen to hear the views of religious leaders and church-goers because the latest proposals would mean pubs opening "during the hours of normal Sunday morning worship".