RED-faced licensees had an application for a late-night drinks licence for a conference turned down after it was discovered that the delegates are all teetotal.

Scarborough Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) had applied for pubs in the town to stay open later on November 7 to 9 for the Baha'i Faith event, which will attract 1,000 delegates and visitors.

But it was discovered just before the court hearing that the followers of the religious movement are non-drinkers.

LVA president Kath Duffy said: "We applied for the licence extension because the conference was bringing so many people into the town.

"A lot of people who are religious who still drink alcohol - I'm a Catholic and I drink."