NEW laws allowing 24-hour drinking would be a "nightmare", community leaders have warned.

The comments came after a weekend of violence in Richmondshire town centres.

On Friday night, two youths were arrested for public disorder after a brawl in Shute Road, Catterick Garrison.

Just before midnight in Richmond, two people were arrested for affray after an incident outside Wetherspoons, in Frenchgate.

And in the early hours of Saturday, police were called to break-up a fight involving about 12 drinkers outside Jesters, in Catterick Garrison.

Several other incidents of assault and disorder in and around Richmondshire town centre pubs were reported.

The licensing laws are due to be overhauled next year to allow pubs and clubs to stay open 24 hours a day.

But councillor Stuart Parsons, the ward member for Richmond town centre, said this was a mistake.

He said: "We need to address the culture of binge drinking before we allow 24-hour binge drinking.

"On hot summer days, people are going to be allowed access to alcohol all day. This is going to be a nightmare."

Catterick councillor Tony Pelton is also opposed to the idea. He said: "There's no public demand for it.

"This law change, like the move to allow more casinos, will be destructive and will put a strain on police resources, more so than ever before."

The councillors' comments echo those of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), which spoke out last week against the Government's plans.

It said chief constables had considerable concerns about the move and believed it would lead to more binge drinking, more crime and more yob behaviour.

Acpo spokesman Chris Allison said: "Our concerns come on two levels. The first is that it could result in people drinking until later and the night-time economy becoming busier.

"The second is that people are more likely to drink more.

"The result will be more people under the influence of alcohol or drunk, and this will lead to more crime and disorder."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the force would not comment on the licensing law changes until they had come into effect.