PUBS in Dorset's smaller towns are applying for 24-hour licences - while their counterparts in Bournemouth and Poole are sticking with last orders.

Dorset police licensing officer Dick Hudson revealed that two pubs in Purbeck and two in North Dorset had applied for 24-hour licences.

"They have all indicated that they won't be using their licences on a regular basis," he stressed.

The situation is in contrast to Bournemouth, where no pubs have applied for 24-hour licences despite the resort's reputation for boozing.

Meanwhile, drinkers at Wetherspoon pubs in the conurbation could be able to buy their first pint at 9am. The chain is the first to announce the new opening hours which will effectively mean the public can order a beer with their breakfast or head straight for the bar after dropping the kids off at school.

The new hours will take effect at the "vast majority" of pubs owned by JD Wetherspoon from Thursday, November 24.

The company owns the Moon in the Square in Bournemouth, the Sir Percy Florence Shelley in Boscombe, and The Quay and The Lord Wimborne in Poole.

The news is certain to anger those concerned about binge drinking but a Wetherspoons spokesman said they do not expect to sell much alcohol at 9am.

The majority of early morning sales are expected to be breakfasts, coffees and other non-alcoholic drinks.

"There has been considerable concern expressed about binge drinking but Wetherspoon has a good record of responsible behaviour in this area," said a company spokesman.

"We believe that we are the only large pub company to open this early."

JD Wetherspoon has led the way in non-smoking pubs with 47 sites smoke-free.

The company revealed profits at the sites have fallen 7.3 per cent since smoking was banned.

Mr Hudson said 9am opening would "not be unusual".

"A number of pubs have applied for permission to open at 8am in the run-up to Christmas.

"Daytime drinking does not tend to cause problems like late-night binge drinking," he said.

"But it will be a case of wait and see.

"After the festivities have passed the pub trade tends to settle down so it will be a while before any sort of a pattern emerges."

First published: November 3, 2005