PUB managers in Worcester have rejected plans for 24-hour drinking licences but dismissed fears it would lead to more binge-drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence.

It comes as the Government has announced that round-the-clock licensing will come into effect from next month.

But Mike Stevens, chairman of the Worcester Licensed Victuallers' Association and Toby's Tavern landlord, in Sansome Street, said he believed the majority of Worcester's night spots would not apply for extended hours.

"If you're going to open all night you're rightly going to have to pay for door staff, which is financially impossible," he said.

"What will happen is the majority will apply until midnight or 1am.

"There's no proof an increase in drinking will bring about an increase in anti-social behaviour though - they said that 20 years ago but it never did."

Mr Stevens - who suggests a six-month trial period - added making pubs pay extra fees was unfair.

Stewart Bellerby, manager of RSVP in The Cross, Worcester, thought few would apply for extended opening hours.

"I'd like to see the actual figures because the amount of tax the industry pays on beer already is incredible," he said.

"To be honest, there's all this fuss about it but nothing is changing - it's still up to the council to grant these licences and no council will in their right minds want this - can you imagine a pub open for 24 hours?"

Jenny Horwill, manager of the Conservatory in the city's Friar Street said they would not apply for extended hours.

"I'd be surprised if many pubs in Worcester apply for extended hours," she said.

"It's going to cost an awful lot of money and at 5am or 6am there's little point in being open."

Meanwhile, Worcester MP Michael Foster said charging pubs extra was fairer on taxpayers.

"In places like Worcester which attract night-time visitors from all over the West Midlands it shouldn't be just the taxpayer of Worcester that pays for the policing.

"An extra contribution from the pubs making the profits is perhaps a fair way of sharing some of the costs of policing."