ANOTHER successful 36-hour New Year pub opening will pave the way for regular round-the-clock drinking in the Faithful City, believes the chairman of Worcestershire's Licensed Victuallers' Association.

Mike Stevens said a largely trouble-free Worcester showed for the third time licensees can be treated like "grown-ups" and finally raise a glass to all-hour opening.

In the city, just three people were arrested, after pubs and clubs opted for private parties until an optional 11.30pm on Thursday.

Two were arrested on suspicion of affray in Tramps nightclub, Angel Place, while one was alleged to be drunk and disorderly in The Cross.

On average, most watering holes shut between 2am and 4am on January 1, allowing punters plenty of time to find taxis and make their way home.

And, according to the association, there was significantly less binge drinking, brought on by people racing to beat the last orders bell.

With a "flexible" licensing Bill - enabling landlords to pick their own opening hours - unveiled by the Government last November, Mr Stevens said round-the-clock opening was definitely on the horizon.

"It's going to be very hard for anyone to argue it doesn't work," he said.

"Of course, there will be restrictions, but I believe round-the-clock drinking will be here by 2004.

"New Year's Eve has made our case even stronger."

Despite claims by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell that only two per cent of landlords will take up the new opening hours, Mr Stevens said it came down to freedom of choice.

"We just want to be treated like grown-ups," he said.

"Just because there was a 36-hour licence on New Year's Eve, it didn't mean everywhere was open all night and, equally, if we were told we had to open for that long, we would be opposed.

"As long as it is well controlled and well managed, it works."