POLICE caught drinkers in an Evesham bar before morning opening time, town magistrates were told last Thursday.

Former licensee of Chancers, Vine Street, Angela Hyde, aged 49, and her partner William Lewis, 49, both of Worcester Road, Evesham, pleaded guilty to selling intoxicants outside permitted hours on December 23.

They were both conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay £50 costs each.

Alex Warren, prosecuting, said when police called at the bar they were told it was a private party but the till roll showed drinks had been paid for between 9am and 10.20am.

John Brookes, for the defendants, said they arrived at 9am that day to open up and were joined by two employees.

Hyde went out shopping and returned at 10.20am to find a small group of regulars, all of pensionable age, having a pre-Christmas drink.

"No sooner had she walked in than the police came in and told them it was a bit early for drinking," he said.

Mr Brookes explained Lewis had invited some of them in and had had provided a round of drinks but had not locked the door and others had drifted in and bought drinks.

"Hyde was technically responsible as licensee but was not involved in what went on that day," he said, adding: "it is not the run of the mill out of hours prosecution when people are there long after closing time, but an early morning offence."

He said Hyde had since surrendered the licence and both she and Lewis had left.