A WOMAN whose husband was kicked to death by two drunken thugs has criticised plans for 24-hour drinking.

Angela Chard, 46, of Gateshead, spoke to a national newspaper about her fears for the changes in licensing laws.

Her husband, Robin, was attacked by Joseph Mee, 28, of Whitemere Gardens, and Christopher Smith, 24, of Pankhurst Gardens, both Wardley, Gateshead, as he returned from a night out in April last year.

They were jailed for life last month after admitting murder.

They said they were high on a cocktail of amphetamines, cannabis, cider and lager, which they had drunk at a local pub, when they battered Mr Chard to death.

In an interview published at the weekend, Mrs Chard said she was scared 24-hour drinking would make more neighbourhoods dangerous places to be.

She said: "I won't say Robin was in the wrong place at the wrong time - he was in the right place, innocently walking home on a lovely April night.

"He had walked that same route from the railway station for 22 years."

She said her husband would not have died if his killers had not been drunk.

She said: "The prospect of 24-hour drinking is hideous. There will be more murders and more widows like me.

"How many more innocent men must lose their lives before the Government backs down?"