IT must be hell living in a city centre but, even though I live in a small town like Droitwich, with no night-clubs, I'm often disturbed at night by drinkers returning from pubs through my residential area.

Apart from the occasional vandalism, car damage and fighting, there is also the nuisance of noise, from both tipsy adults and drunken youngsters.

Small groups linger in the street to have a chat or an argument. And taxis sound their horns when they collect staff and clients from the nearest pub.

Presently, problems usually occur between about 11.30pm and 1am (some drinkers pause at a late-night fast-food outlet.)

There must be thousands of people in a similar or worse position to me and we probably all mainly grin and bear it. I shudder to think what will be like when Tony Blair's new law comes into force and pubs can serve alcohol later than 11.30pm. The police can't be expected to stop people talking or shouting noisily and they can't be permanently present in every neighbourhood to prevent fighting and vandalism. Tony Blair wants to cop out and penalise the pubs but which pub is going to get the blame if the fighting and vandalism happens half a mile from the town centre? How many pubs have the trouble-makers actually visited? Most licensees are responsible people, how can they predict what's going to happen later?

I've got no faith in Wychavon District Council officials being able to prevent these sort of problems. After all, they're the people who gave the fast-food outlet permission to stay open late and for a nearby taxi firm to open up without any apparent parking space.

My vote would go to any party that will reverse this new legislation, certainly not New Labour. I enjoy a pint myself but there will be no benefit in it for the vast majority and for many people it will cause more problems from anti-social behaviour.

Dave Davidson

Droitwich Spa