FEARS of drink-fuelled disorder after the introduction of late-licensing laws appeared unfounded yesterday as police across the region reported a quieter shift than usual.

On the first weekend after pubs and clubs in the North-East and North Yorkshire begun to use their licences extended opening hours, disorder was said to be "minimal".

Several North-East nightspots shut down hours before their scheduled closing time - and others opted not to make use of their newly-acquired extending opening rights.

Torrential rain and freezing temperatures, and the pre-Christmas drinking lull, have all been suggested as reasons for the lack of turnout.

Police across the region had prepared for a busy weekend and in Darlington, military police from Catterick Garrison were drafted in to help patrol.

In Bishop Auckland, police had extra officers on duty.

But yesterday, forces across the North-East and North Yorkshire said it had been quieter than expected.

Inspector Mike Thompson, of North Yorkshire Police, said it had been like any other weekend.

"The first Saturday night of new licensing laws passed off without any incidents and it was no different, basically, to any other Saturday that we've had previously," he said.

"There were quite a few people who took advantage of late-night opening of nightclubs, but nothing untoward happened."

In Middlesbrough, only three of the seven premises with late licences opted to use them.

Acting Inspector Neil Walker, of Cleveland Police, said: "There were six alcohol-related arrests in the town centre on Friday and seven on Saturday. That's probably quieter than it has been for quite a while. A lot of the time, our cells are full at the weekend."

In Darlington, police reported a quiet weekend, with a below-average number of incidents reported on Friday and Saturday nights. Two of the town's main nightclubs closed early.

Acting Inspector Gavin Musgrave said: "It's been quiet, not unbelievably quiet, but there were no major incidents to report and we had a low number of calls."

Bishop Auckland police also recorded a quiet weekend, but Acting Inspector Victoria Errington said they would keep regular checks on licensed premises to ensure there was minimal trouble in the future.

Northumbria Police, the region's biggest force, reported a quiet weekend with 76 arrests over the course of Friday and Saturday nights for drink-related and disorder offences.

A force spokeswoman said it was a "busy" night in Sunderland, but Newcastle's stations had reported a "quiet night all round".