TODAY hundreds of pubs, bars, takeaways and shops should be able to take advantage of new laws and serve alcohol for longer - but none in Worcester have yet received their official licences.

The city council's licensing team has failed to send out any of the licences that are required for the new Licensing Act.

And this has left many publicans and business-owners uncertain and unsure of their situations as new certificates for extended opening hours or 24-hour drinking are supposed to be clearly displayed.

In Worcester, 139 out of 392 establishments have received variations or extensions to their hours. And if police spot-check their premises, they only have a cover note as a temporary measure.

But environmental health manager for Worcester City Council,Martin Gillies defended the licensing team - and blamed the delay on solicitors and some difficult licensees.

"I am happy to state that tactical attempts by elements of the licensing trade and legal profession to bring the process to a grinding halt have been unsuccessful," he said.

Chairman of the Licensees and Victuallers Association and landlord of Toby's Tavern, Sansome Street, Mike Stevens added: "It is ridiculous that we have not received our licences and I can't understand why anyone would suggest we would hold up the process. This would not help us. Some people have been unsure what to do but it is certainly not our fault if we applied in time."

Under the new laws all pubs had to reapply for a licence and could ask extend their hours.

However, landlords do not have to keep their premises open until the latest possible time, and pubs may choose to retain certain opening hours.

l What time can your local stay open until now? See tomorrow's Worcester News for a full list of extended licenses granted in the city.

SO, WHAT'S CHANGED EXACTLY?

l Tesco is the only Worcester business to have been granted a 24-hour licence, at both its Warndon and St Peter's branches.

l Bars, clubs, fast food outlets, restaurants, theatres, shops, cinemas and everywhere else serving alcohol needed to reapply for a licence to comply with new laws that began today.

l Fewer than 10 city premises failed to apply in time. It is now illegal for them to sell alcohol.

l Many pubs and bars took the opportunity to extend their opening hours.

l For pubs with extended licences, the general trend is for permission to sell alcohol until midnight during the week and 1am at weekends.

l There is also the usual hour drink-up time after last orders.

l Malvern Hills District Council told a similar story, with Strensham motorway services the only site to be granted a 24-hour licence.

l The council issued about 280 licences in total, about half of which are for extended hours.

l In Wychavon District Council's area, 240 premises were given extended hours.

l An enforcement agreement between the police and the three district councils will be signed on Friday, November 25, at the Swan public house, Whittington.