NO North-East pub will apply for round-the-clock drinking under relaxed licensing laws coming into force today, the Government has predicted.

Licensing Minister Richard Caborn said a survey of 30,500 pubs and bars found that only one landlord, in London, planned to apply to stay open 24 hours a day.

He said: "I think people will look back in a few years and say 'what was all the fuss about?'"

Mr Caborn spoke ahead of today's start of the six-month period during which every pub and club in the North-East and North Yorkshire can apply for a new drinking licence.

The shake-up has sparked fears of a increase in binge drinking and town centre trouble as pubs compete to stay open into the small hours.

In a survey last week, almost two-thirds of police said they feared the move to all-hours drinking would lead to a surge in alcohol-related violence.

The reforms will mean six current licences -for the sale of alcohol, late-night drinking, late-night cafes and the holding of public entertainment, theatrical productions or films -are merged into one.

The Government wants local authorities to issue the licences by November, the date when the Licensing Act will be implemented.

But Mr Caborn said there was no appetite among pub owners to remain open round-the-clock, and said the reforms would crack down on binge-drinkers and rogue pubs.

They will give local people extra power to object to pubs linked to late-night trouble, as responsibility for their licences is switched from magistrates to local councils.

Mr Caborn said: "A survey of some 30,500 venues by the British Beer and Pub Association showed no pub or bar would open for 24 hours. Not one of them.

"The only one we know about is an Australian sports bar in London, which wants to show rugby through the night on occasions.

"Even if someone wants to apply for a 24-hour licence, you only get it if you show good reason."

He blamed the recent surge in drink-related violence on the current closing time.

The majority of pubs would have applications to stay open until midnight at weekends approved, with objections expected against an estimated five per cent.