NEWS that plans for 24-hour drinking in pubs are likely to be shelved has received a mixed reaction from East Lancashire.

Round-the-clock opening hours were due to be introduced by the Government as early as next year after Blackburn MP and former Home Secretary Jack Straw announced plans to scrap old-fashioned licensing laws.

But the proposed licensing bill -- which would allow local councils rather than magistrates to set pub opening times -- is now unlikely to figure in the Queen's Speech this week.

The speech, which sets out the forthcoming legislation to be introduced through Parliament, already contains bills on health, crime and education and opening hours are seen as a low priority.

Secretary of the Blackburn Licensed Victuallers Association and landlord of the Rising Sun in Wilpshire, Geoff Sutcliffe, said he was disappointed at the news.

He added: "We really wanted this to be sorted out so that we know where we stand. I have to say though that the delay is not unexpected, licensees have been saying for a while that this bill is not considered a priority. We don't expect anything to happen for at least 12 months at the least now. "We would also prefer opening hours to stay in the control of the justices rather than the local councils, but we realise that the change is inevitable so we will work with councils when the time comes."

Others, however, welcomed the news of the expected delay.

Nightclub owner Margo Grimshaw, who runs popular nightspots in Blackburn including C'est La Vie and Never Never Land said: "I welcome the government's decision to not go ahead with 24 hour licensing because late hours does not do business any good.

"The move will give people time to hang on and rationalise their views, before jumping into things that could cause problems.

"We have lost the traditional pub because of licensing hours, because pubs are closed more than they have ever been."

Pubs in England and Wales were given special permission to stay open for 24 hours on Millennium Eve.

Scotland has enjoyed longer opening hours for more than 25 years.