STRICTER controls on pub licences in Pembrokeshire's alcohol-fuelled troublespots will come into force this year thanks to new laws.

Licensees in Haverfordwest's Castle Square and Tenby's walled town will face the closest scrutiny from the authorities if they want to take advantage of the Licensing Act's biggest shake-up for 40 years.

The act gives licensed premises the opportunity to apply to extend opening hours to up to 24 hours a day.

With fears that crime and disorder will escalate because of longer drinking times, all pubs and clubs wanting to extend their hours will be required to put forward a self-policing plan and set out their own conditions in an operating schedule.

And in Castle Square and inside the Tenby town walls - which have been designated 'cumulative effect areas' - licence conditions will be tight.

The county's licensing officer, Tony Davies, said. "Binge drinking is a massive problem throughout Britain and senior police officers fear that the new laws could make matters worse.

"But in Pembrokeshire we hope that the strict stipulations we will be demanding from licensees will regulate the situation."

From last Monday, holders of all types of licence could choose to either carry on as previously, under 'grandfather rights', or apply to vary opening hours and conditions.

Depending on the rateable value of the premises and individual requirements, licensees in Pembrokeshire will be paying a one-off fee of between £100 and £635.

And for the first time ever, late-night hot food takeaways operating after 11pm will also come under the umbrella of the new act.

Will the new laws be a burden or a boon to the licensee? Tenby LVA chairman Damian Brown is undecided.

"We certainly welcome change, and hope it will be for the better, but can't help thinking that this is yet another tax and administrative burden for licensees," he said.

Pembrokeshire LVA chairman John Denley agreed that licensees would be paying out 'considerably more'.

"But the change in the law is giving us the opportunity to say how we wish to operate and, hopefully, the majority of licensees will end up with licences enabling them to do so in that manner, which can only enhance their value."

Mr Denley paid tribute to licensing officers Tony Davies and Sarah Oliver. "They have worked extremely hard to ensure that everything goes ahead smoothly in Pembrokeshire," he said.

THIS month's Police magazine, writing on the new laws, states: "When Iceland and Ireland scrapped licensing hours, they witnessed a rise in drunken behaviour and violence and abandoned the idea.

"The true effects of the new licensing laws will not be felt for many more months, but from November onwards, they will be coming to a town or village near you."