A 36-hour booze marathon to see in the New Year looks set to be put on ice with the majority of landlords refusing to open all hours.

The move offered pubs and clubs the option to open from 11am today through to 11pm on tomorrow.

But many publicans will not open for the full 36-hours, although they may stay open a few hours past midnight if there is a demand.

And clubs have also turned their noses up at the chance to open across two days - Jumpin Jaks, in Blackburn, will close at 2am and Utopia, in Blackburn, will only stay open if there is the demand.

The licensing orders approved by the House of Lords in November leave it up to landlords to close when they want. The permanent move is a continuation of the temporary relaxation of the hours given to pubs and clubs on the Millennium 2000 and 2001.

The decision could be a taste of things to come if opening hours are extended to 24-hours and licensing laws are changed next year.

Derek Haworth, chairman of the Blackburn branch of the Licensed Victuallers' Association and landlord of the Fox and Hounds, Ewood. said: "They were right to extend the hours, but I think the 36-hours is a bit far. I don't know of anybody who will stay open for that length of time, even landlords have to sleep sometime."

Eleanor Roberts, of Pitchers Sports Bar, Blackburn, said: "I think it's a good thing, but I've no plans to open for the full time, we're just going to play it by ear and see how busy we are going to be."

Elaine Stansfield, of Utopia, said: "We're not going to stay open for the full-time but we'll stay open for as long as people drink and it is viable to do so."

Blackburn town centre has been criticised in the past for becoming a dangerous place at turning-out time.

Inspector Stuart Bruce, of Lancashire police, said: "It's not a new thing, it's happened for the last two years on New Year and did not cause an awful lot of problems then, in fact, it had a lot of benefits.

"It removed the normal flashpoints of everybody being turned out at the same time.

"Now people can leave when they were bored or when their money runs out and it staggers the evening."

Mr Haworth said: "It takes the pressure off the set closing time and having to throw people out when they are enjoying themselves.

Richard Davies, of the Lomax Arms, Great Harwood, said: "I'm not sure how long I'm going to stay open, but I think it is a good idea.

"Sometimes there is a bit of trouble in the centre of Harwood and this should stop it."

John Burke, landlord of the Albion, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, said: "I did it before but most people only lasted until 8am. I will try and do it - I will probably carry on until about 7am because most people won't be able to last the drinking, that's the problem."

Ian Spedding, of the Castle, Clitheroe, said: "We're closing at 1am. We didn't take up the offer last year, there's not much of a demand for it in Clitheroe and I don't know of anyone who is staying open for the full 36 hours."

Coun Maureen Bateson, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for citizens and consumer rights, said: "The legislation allows trading hours for the New Year period to be the same as the previous two years, during which we received no complaints regarding public nuisance or noise."