PUBS and bars throughout Worcester will be allowed to open their doors for an extra two hours to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee on Monday, June 3.

The law has been relaxed throughout the country, to save a total of £8.9m in individual licence extension applications.

But police, residents and councils will be able to apply to magistrates to restrict nightclub extensions to 1am to "prevent potential disturbance or disorder".

And licensees will also be able to appeal to the crown court against the restriction orders.

"It's a good idea because it's optional to the individual licensee," said Mike Stevens, chairman of Worcestershire Licensed Victuallers' Association.

"Therefore it does give them the opportunity to open later if they want to.

"More importantly, we would like to see a relaxation of the licensing laws for the England games.

"At the moment there is a case going to the court of appeal, after a hearing in Bristol, to allow longer opening hours.

"It was originally refused by magistrates, but the outcome from the court of appeal should be known later this month."

Not all establishments will be taking advantage of the longer drinking hours.

"Working 13 hours behind the bar is a long time," said Margaret Bailey, landlady of The Barley Mow in Sidbury.

"I know we don't want longer opening hours over the World Cup period because this isn't the sort of place to do that."

"Most of the people who come in here are the old folk and they aren't really interested in football."