IT hasn't taken long for the new licensing laws to degenerate into farce. The test of any new legislation is always its potential for loopholes - and you could drive a brewer's dray through the particular chasm we have in mind.

Like many pubs, Worcester's Pig & Drum wants to extend its opening hours. On this occasion, we will refrain from passing judgement on the hostelry in question, merely say that it may not be everyone's cup of tea, never mind half of bitter.

A number of residents objected to the request, and a council committee - the new arbiters of such matters - heeded their concerns and denied the plea, along with that of another Worcester pub. However, both premises appealed to the magistrates - the former licensing body - and the applications were allowed.

What is going on? The Government pushed these new laws through despite the reservations of many interested parties. It was all about making life easier, granting extensions to outlets that could prove they would not be to the detriment of the wider community.

Not so, it seems. The Pig & Drum is a rock pub and we don't have a problem with that as such. Nevertheless, Lowesmoor is a noise-sensitive area and one of the main aims of the new licensing rules is to take into account the concerns of the ordinary citizen in this regard.

Worcester magistrates have either flagged up a glaring anomaly, or have proved once again that the law is an ass. Yes, it's a farce - and the only thing missing could well be a trouserless Brian Rix.