HUNDREDS of pubs and clubs across the region face a race against time to apply for new drinks licences ahead of the August 6 deadline.

At the same time, council staff are working to process a last-minute rush of applications - and in some cases will open on Saturday to meet the expected demand.

A survey by The Northern Echo has found that some councils, which now act as licensing authorities, have yet to receive half the licence applications they would normally expect.

At Wear Valley Council, in County Durham, only 237 out of an expected 608 applications had been received by the beginning of the week, while Hambleton District Council, in North Yorkshire, had received 250 out of an expected 516 at the last check.

Licensees who miss out will be forced to apply for a licence with no guarantee it will be granted.

And they have been warned that they face a much lengthier wait, because they must begin a formal consultation process that involves advertising their application.

The new licences - being introduced as a part of a Government move to overhaul drinking laws and introduce 24-hour drinking - come into force by November 24.

Premises trading after that date without the correct licence will be operating illegally and may face prosecution and closure.

Ian Harrison, principal licensing officer with Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "Anybody who wants to take advantage of the opportunity to keep their current licensing hours must apply to their local council by August 6.

"Anyone who fails to do so will lose any automatic right to a licence and runs a risk of being left with no licence at all."

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said its licensing staff were working flat out and were likely to face a backlog of licence applications.

The new licences apply to any premises that sell alcohol or offer public entertainment.