BOLTON'S alcohol rehabilitation team has hit back at government plans to relax pub licensing laws.

The special unit says any radical change, including the possibility of 24-hour drinking, would only add to Bolton's already huge addiction to alcohol.

As reported in Saturday's BEN, town centre pubs have welcomed a Home Office licensing review which could lead to extended pub and club opening hours as well as the end of curbs on Sunday licensing.

But today Bolton's Community Drug and Alcohol Team said the move would only add to Bolton's massive number of alcoholics and increase drink-related problems including crime, domestic violence and poor health.

Team development manager Mary Bird said: "I can understand why pubs would want to open longer from a business point of view, but from where we stand extending hours would be a detrimental step.

"It's all a question of availability and the more people have access to alcohol the more problems you will have."

Last month the BEN revealed that the Bolton area had a staggering 9,000 alcoholics and another 22,000 folk who were drinking above recommended limits.

Our exclusive report also revealed that drink had led to 11,000 people suffering illness, attempting suicide or harming others through violence, child abuse or accidents.

And Mrs Bird, whose team offers alcoholics medical help and counselling, reckons the trend will worsen if the government calls time on traditional opening hours. "We'd like opening hours to remain unchanged," she said.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.