Brighton and Hove has a reputation for being a lively city where people like to have fun.

But this can be difficult when licensing laws insist no one can have a drink in a pub after 11pm.

Today, publicans are applying to magistrates for an extra hour's opening on Fridays and Saturdays in the summer.

It doesn't seem much to ask, yet police are objecting to it on the grounds that Brighton and Hove will not be geared up to it.

But 40 miles along the coast to the east, Hastings magistrates have granted a similar application and there were not any objections from police.

There were no real problems in Hastings and there won't be any in Brighton and Hove if this application is granted.

Refusal will show up inconsistencies between magistrates and police in coastal resorts. It will also demonstrate what a mess the licensing laws are in nationally.

There's a good case for much greater relaxation of licensing laws in city centre pubs well away from most people's homes.

Most continental countries, which have civilised licensing laws, don't have nearly the same problem with drunkenness that Britain has suffered for years.

Provided there are powers to crack down on pubs which are badly run, longer licensing hours should be welcomed in resorts aiming to please.