SCORES of pubs in the region are spurning the chance to open longer, despite new 24-hour drinking laws.

By yesterday, not one North-East pub had applied for an extended licence, despite bids being invited three weeks ago.

In North Yorkshire, City of York Council had received three applications, but other councils said they had received none.

Many pubs will not take advantage of the relaxed legislation because it is not financially viable to open longer.

Landlords and councils said those who do were likely to only open for a couple of extra hours a week.

They believe many people have been put off because application forms were long and complicated.

Gateshead Council said two solicitors had tried to apply on behalf of landlords, but the applications were rejected because forms had been filled in incorrectly.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, premises can open 24-hours a day from November.

Responsibility for granting licences was transferred from magistrates' courts to councils, and every licence will need to be re-issued this year.

Darlington, Durham City, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, Richmondshire, Easington, Hambleton Newcastle and Gateshead councils have not received any applications.

It is expected there will be at least one application in Sunderland.

Keith Parkinson, the environmental health and licensing manager of Easington District Council, said: "The feedback we have from potential applicants indicates those that do apply will only be asking for extensions until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

"However, a lot have said they will not be applying at all due to the complexity of the process."

Martyn Richards, head of legal and democratic services at Hambleton District Council, in North Yorkshire, said: "We have not had any applications yet, largely because there are costs of opening for 24-hour drinking."

John Jamieson, the head of commercial health at Richmondshire District Council, in North Yorkshire, said: "If establishments apply now, they have to pay now, although the extended hours they have been granted do not come into effect until November.

"Even so, I still do not anticipate a sudden surge of licensees rushing to apply to open 24-hours a day."

Jim Crackett, landlord of the Red Lion, in Priestgate, Darlington, said: "We are not applying for longer opening hours. I do not see it being viable. At the moment, 11pm is ample. There is no transport after that time and no great demands from people to stay open longer."

Christopher Shaw, of the Queens Head, Bishop Auckland, said longer hours could be bad for business.

He said: "I do not think there will be anyone applying in Bishop.

"It is not worth it for us, because it will put us down the pecking order. People will just come here later and later when they are already drunk."

Darlington Borough Council urged licensees to apply soon, because almost 1,500 licences need to be reissued this year. A spokesman said: "The worst thing would be a glut of these applications coming in over the summer. We would say 'please contact us now, don't wait'."

* If you are a licensee and plan to open 24 hours a day, call The Northern Echo newsdesk on (01325) 505065.