A Darlington town centre pub has been granted a licence to serve alcohol from 9am.

The Boot and Shoe, in the Market Square, already opens at 9am to serve breakfasts to market traders and shoppers.

Magistrates in Darlington yesterday agreed to grant a licence for 12 months, allowing alcohol to be served two hours earlier than normal, after they heard there were no objections from Darlington police.

Gary Tindall, who has held the licence at the Boot and Shoe since April last year, said: "With us being so close to the market place you get a lot of people in early for tea and coffee and breakfasts, and sometimes they ask if they can have a half."

The court heard that pubs within the immediate vicinity of the indoor or outdoor market can be granted an exemption certificate, enabling them to serve alcohol for longer.

Magistrates said they were prepared to grant the application for a provisional period, meaning the licence will be reviewed in a year.

Alcohol is allowed to be served on the days the indoor market is open, from 9am, Monday to Saturday.