PLANS to liberalise Britain's licensing laws and allow pubs to remain open 24 hours a day will be greeted with relief in some quarters, horror in others.

In some cases it will merely legitimise what has become a traditional, if perhaps furtive, practice. In others it will allow civilised people to enjoy a drink when they want. In all cases relaxation of the licensing laws will bring us into line with countries across the world.

But for many the prospect of "the local" staying open until the early hours will be greeted with horror. Take Skipton High Street on a weekend. Vomiting, scantily dressed mobs chanting their way through the streets, fighting, vandalism - and that's just the women!

Other developed countries live quite happily with 24 hour opening. They simply do not have the British mentality of binge drinking, "runs" of pubs and vulgar, aggressive behaviour.

Magistrates will have the ultimate power of closing down unruly pubs. It is a heavy responsibility but one which hopefully they will not shirk. Imagine the reaction if, tired of the unpleasant scenes, the local bench ordered the blanket closure of all pubs in a town on certain nights for a period of a month. That would send out a strong message and provide a haven of peace for those unfortunate enough to live in the vicinity.

Liberal licensing laws need tough licensing benches.