FROM midnight it was a case of out with the old laws and in with the new in the biggest shake-up of drinks legislation in half a century.

Generally, clubs and pubs can now open later than 11pm- and some can even remain open 24 hours a day.

The Government says the old laws - which date back to the First World War - are archaic and confusing.

Ministers feel that by dropping last orders, drinkers will not all spill out onto the streets together - reducing the chance of drunken violence breaking out.

This seems a good idea and we sincerely hope that this Continental-style drinking culture will stop drinkers from rushing to gulp down more pints.

And we hope that by taking this action it will stop the sickening scenes of after-closing-time violence and anti-social behaviour that blight many town centres every week.

We also note that, in many cases, the new longer hours are only providing official sanction for what already happens. The "stoppy-back" will become a thing of the past.

But the Government is taking a gamble. It wants to be seen as being tough on binge-drinking while at the same giving people more access to booze. Some doctors fear longer opening hours will worsen the country's alcohol problem; some police officers fear it will worsen the country's anti-social behaviour problems. Many in Accident and Emergency - where up to 70 per cent of cases are drink-related - just fear.

There is also a concern that these laws, which require greater responsibility, are being introduced at Christmas time - our annual festival of irresponsibility. The calm of February would have been better.

However, one very positive aspect of the new laws is that stores caught selling alcohol to minors could have their licences changed, suspended or revoked, and be fined £5,000.

And we are pleased that police can close down rowdy bars and fine licensees for selling to drunks and children. Disorderly drinkers could face £80 on-the-spot fines.

We have to cross our fingers and hope that the police are not over-run by 24-hour drunks and so have the time to detect law-breaking shopkeepers.