NEW licensing laws allow pubs and clubs to stay open all day. Bolton Evening News crime reporter Lucie McFall and photographer Marc Berry were in the town centre on Friday night to see what difference - if any - the new laws made

BOLTON'S streets were deserted on the first Friday night since new 24-hour licensing laws came into effect.

By 4am on Saturday, all the pubs and clubs in the town centre had closed - and there were no revellers in Bradshawgate or Nelson Square.

Many bars and clubs had closed as usual at 2am.

Ikon, in Bridge Street, closed at 3am and stopped letting people in at 1.30am.

J2 and Diamonds, in Bank Street, Bolton, closed at 4am.

Despite Thursday's introduction of new laws which allow round-the-clock drinking, many reported that it had been a quieter than a normal Friday night in Bolton.

Many takeaways in the town centre closed at their normal times and the taxi ranks were empty.

The few people still out were staff cleaning up but even they had all headed home shortly after 4am.

Insp Paul Murphy, of Bolton police, said there were no drink-related arrests in the town centre.

He said: "It has been reasonably quiet. I think that is probably down to the weather and the time of year.

"We haven't had any specific incidents to deal with.

"There was a large police presence in the town centre and, as far as we are concerned, the operation has been a success.

"There is still time yet for it to get busier in the run up to Christmas."

Taxi marshall Lee Egerton, who was on duty for the first time last night as part of a pilot scheme, said: "It has been very quiet.

"It was not even as busy as a normal Friday night I would say. We are the last people on the streets and we will be going home at 4.30am after we have checked there is no-one else around.

"We haven't seen any sign of the new licensing laws taking affect but maybe tonight will be busier."

The controversial Licensing Act 2003 came into force at midnight on Wednesday, allowing the 24-hour sale of alcohol for the first time in Great Britain.