THOSE who originally approved the increased licensing hours should have insisted that others (unlike themselves), living en route to and from these licensed premises have their house rates reduced to zero to compensate for the incessant noise, drunken arguments and criminal damage resulting in their folly - or agree to swap houses with the sufferers.

There is one saving grace. If there are enough pubs open, it may mean less fines for miscreants urinating in the street.

It appears to be the in thing to increase drinking, reduce the number of public toilets and close the others at night.

Gordon Ross,

Huntington Road,

York.

Updated: 13:04 Saturday, January 11, 2003