RELAXING pub opening times will only worsen problems with alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder, laying waste to a major reason for the overhaul of alcohol licensing, says Cumbria Alcohol and Drugs Advisory Service.

Director of the support group Paul Brown believes the Licensing Act 2003 has been badly thought out.

"The more available you make alcohol the more people will drink it," he said.

"People seem manic and want to get as much down them as possible and unless they blackout its been a disappointing night.

"If there is any saving grace for the new law then it will encourage people to drink slowly and sensibly."

Mr Brown said alcohol-related crime had risen in Scotland since licensing laws were relaxed in a similar way.

Instead, he argued, the drinking culture had to change in England.

"Drink is a regular part of our lives - we drink to celebrate, commiserate, unwind and forget," he continued.

"Most parents are not so unhappy if their child comes back drunk, compared to being on drugs, because they know how to deal with it they have been there before.

"But alcohol is one of the biggest killers and we deal with many more people for alcohol problems than for drugs."

Mr Brown said that he did not expect to see a surge in the number of people coming to CADAS for help because of the relaxation of the laws, but added: "It's not going to get better because of it."