REAL ale campaigners have officially backed a plan which would mean pub customers could drink alcohol in Bolton from 10am.

The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) say that their surveys across the country show that drinkers want the liquor licensing laws to be reformed so that pub opening times can become more flexible.

In the North-west, 72 per cent of adults agreed that landlords should be able to open when they please as long as the community is protected from excessive noise or nuisance.

It has lent backing to a bid by national pub chain JD Wetherspoon's to open the Spinning Mule, in Nelson Square, Bolton, from 10am -- an hour earlier than is currently allowed.

The survey by CAMRA also shows that 60pc of adults believe there would be less disorder in town centres if pub closing times varied and 67pc think adults should have the opportunity to drink in pubs any time they choose.

Mike Benner, Head of Campaigns and Communications at CAMRA, said: "We wanted a true picture of public opinion on Government plans to reform licensing law in light of the concern expressed in many parts of the media about possible increases in disorder and problem drinking if pubs are allowed to open longer hours."

Currently people can only be served alcohol from 11am yet Wetherspoons has applied to Bolton magistrates to alter the Licensing Act of 1964.

The Spinning Mule has been serving breakfast including tea and coffee from 10am since September but Wetherspoon's want to go further to allow alcohol to be served from that time.

If the Bolton move goes through on February 5, pubs across the borough would be allowed to open early.