Pubs and clubs could be allowed to open all night on Millennium Eve - and every New Year's Eve afterwards.

Government proposals, currently being considered by Oxford City Council, would relax licensing laws for 12 hours on New Year's Eve.The move would allow revellers to drink all night as they see in the Millennium. - and could be repeated every New Year in the future.

The idea was welcomed by Terry Gardener, chairman of Oxford's licensing panel, which decides whether to grant alcohol licences.

He said: "I support these proposals. I think we have to drag ourselves into the 21st century and bring ourselves in line with the continent."The general trend over the past three years has been to push back drinking hours more an more - and I see nothing wrong with that. "There has been no increase in drink-related crime or violence as a result of extended drinking hours in Oxford."

Members of the city council's health and environment committee will discuss the proposals next week and must pass their thoughts to ministers by February 12.

Alternative proposals include a more limited extension to 4am.

Committee chairman Susanna Pressel said Millennium Eve could be used as a trial for extended drinking hours.

"Personally, I think we should try it for a year and not decide to do it forever immediately," she said."The most important thing is that people are allowed to enjoy themselves."

Jonathan Ellse, manager of the OX1 pub in New Road, said he would open until 3am or 4am on New Years Day if allowed but not all night.

"I think it might be viable in places like London or Glasgow, but not Oxford. People will be going out early and they are not going to be drinking all night," he said. A Thames Valley Police spokesman said it was "inevitable" that licensing laws would be relaxed and they would work with other agencies to ensure it passed smoothly.

He said:This will bring a number of changes to policing in the city and w"We will sit down in partnership with agencies in the city to try an ensure the event passes off smoothly."

Story date: Saturday 30 January

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