YORK's "yob culture" would only get worse if pubs were allowed to stay open around the clock.

That's the view of Stephen Higson, the father-of-two who was attacked in Bootham at the weekend by a gang of drunken youths.

Next month, pub licensees can begin to submit applications for extended licences under the Licensing Act 2003, which will come into force next year.

In theory, pubs that are granted a 24-hour licence will be able to serve alcohol at any time, day or night.

This is a frightening prospect, according to Mr Higson, a former soldier.

"The 'yob culture' is going to take years to change and I think 24-hour drinking will just make it worse," he said.

Mr Higson, who served with the Royal Green Jackets in Germany for almost eight years, said: "If people drank more sociably, like the Germans, you could have pubs closing at about 2am or 3am.

"With 24-hour opening, you'll get idiots who just carry on drinking."

City publicans echoed Mr Higson's concerns.

Terry Daly, who has been licensee of The Old Grey Mare, at Clifton Green, for the past 20 years, said: "You're not just talking about more violence and disorder on the streets, but what about when people come home at all hours, waking up their neighbours with shouting and banging doors?"

Mr Daly said Government visions of a "more Continental approach" to drinking in Britain were flawed.

"Britain is nothing like the Continent. We don't have their intelligent attitude towards alcohol. I don't know who dreamed up this 24-hour drinking plan for here, but it's completely crazy."

Sue Hardie, at The Blue Bell in Fossgate, York, said. "The licence in the wrong hands would cause all sorts of problems.

"It's shocking what you see in places like Micklegate at the weekends - people so drunk that they can't stand up then being allowed into the next bar they go to - and these places would probably do happy hours at 3am if they could keep their customers coming in," she said.

Police and crime reduction bodies are also concerned.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said they stand with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on the issue, which has "considerable concerns" over the extension of drinking hours.

The ACPO believes the law change could lead to more drunk people on the streets, which would exacerbate crime and disorder and create an additional workload for police officers.

Carole Patrick, of the Safer York Partnership, "It is doubtful that 24-hour drinking will be available in York because it is simply not feasible for most licensees to operate around the clock."

Updated: 11:00 Friday, January 14, 2005