Congratulations to Liverpool for scooping the title of European Capital of Culture for 2008. It's a shame that the Newcastle-Gateshead bid was pipped at the post, but my own feeling is that Merseyside's need is far greater.

Our friends up North have made tremendous strides in recent years and the "Toon" with its street cafes, varied shops, artistic quarter and nightlife now has the feel of a truly cosmopolitan European city.

The Culture award would have been nice, but to be honest, I cannot see the setback halting the Newcastle renaissance. That's due in part to the vision of the city elders and the determination of all parties to take the area forward.

I am determined to see similar progress in Middlesbrough. I want the town to develop an "18-hour economy" but in order to achieve that it is necessary for everyone to open their minds to opportunity. We need to cater for all tastes but it worries me that a blinkered attitude sometimes holds us back.

Middlesbrough has over 8,000 college and university students and it is an exciting place for young people, something highlighted by a recent music festival attracting 30,000 visitors. So it's not surprising businessmen want to replicate the experience of other "happening" towns and apply for entertainment licences up to 3.30am.

Refusing such applications will not stop young people dancing until dawn. What it will do is ensure they don't do it in Middlesbrough.

When it comes to disposable income, the 18-25 age group leads the way and rather than pushing them towards other towns and cities for a good night out we should be encouraging them to stay local. And it was interesting to note that, in a vox pop of residents aged between 18 and 68, no one objected to the 3.30am plan.

I want Middlesbrough to compete with the big guns of Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester but to do that we have to have our own image - the Middlesbrough designer label.

But the police seem to object to licensing applications automatically, without considering what is best for the future of the town.

When a businessman applied to hold an under-18s night with live bands and disco recently, police objected and it was turned down on the grounds it might result in violence.

The message sent out to teenagers is that the police and the council regard them as troublemakers and will allow a tiny yobbish minority to ruin things for the law-abiding majority.

Let's at least give these initiatives a try. If it means substantially increased policing costs then the licensees can be taxed accordingly.

One of the major complaints I receive from people in the town is that our police are not intervening on the streets to combat anti-social behaviour. As a result, incidents escalate. They become crime statistics which the police then quote when opposing extended licensing hours. In reality, if officers had been doing their job effectively the problem could have been nipped in the bud.

I hope the police will consider why it is that forces in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester can cope with a vibrant nightlife but in Middlesbrough they appear to be saying they cannot.

Published: 06/06/2003