REVELLERS may be allowed to drink the night away to welcome in the New Year.

The Government is considering allowing pub and club bosses throughout the UK to remain open for 36 hours from December 31 until New Year's Day night.

The same scheme last year did not result in drink-related trouble.

Bolton licensees would welcome the 36-hour opening plan but are predicting that only a small number would remain open over the whole period.

The town's licensing officer, PC Greg Pickles, said he expects Parliament to approve the proposals allowing licensees to stay open around the clock over New Year.

Last year, the 36-hour New Year drinking hours began at 11am on December 31 and finished at 11 pm on January 1.

PC Pickles expects the same hours this year will receive Government approval.

He said: "I am not anticipating this causing any extra public disorder. Last year, only two or three places stayed open for the entire 36 hours and people spent it sleeping it off rather than drinking.

"It did not give us any extra public disorder or drunkenness. It was a success right across the country."

The 36-hour deregulation is not decided by magistrates but by the Government. Whitehall committees are currently discussing the proposed drinking hours.

A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said it was not known when a decision would be made but PC Pickles said it could be as late as December.

He appealed to licensees who are thinking of taking advantage of the deregulation to inform him of their intentions as soon as possible so that police could plan how they will cover New Year.

Paul Malloy, manager at Crompton's Mule in Bradshawgate said he did not think they would be taking advantage of the 36-hour period.

He said: "I do not think it would be worth it. Last year it really went quiet around midnight -- a lot of people go on to the clubs."