A TOWN centre bar has become the first in Bolton to be granted a 24-hour licence.

Elements in Bradshawgate has been given permission to serve alcohol from 7am on Friday until 7am on Monday.

The Reebok Stadium and adjoining De Vere hotel have also been given permission to serve alcohol at all hours during functions.

And four supermarkets across the borough are hoping to capitalise on the new laws by opening their alcohol aisles 24 hours a day.

New laws come into force on Thursday.

Bolton's group licensing manager Andrew Fisher said: "There has been a fairly significant number of applications for extended hours. Licensees have taken advantage of the flexibility to extend the time they can serve alcohol at weekends and holidays.

"But the early indications are that even town centre venues don't consider 24 hour drinking to be sustainable. However, many premises will be keepng an eye on Elements. If everyone flocks there, others will follow."

Thursday will herald a new era for the drinks trade when the Government's controversial 2003 Licensing Act come into effect.

It means that, providing premises have lodged applications and they have been approved, the 24-hour sale of alcohol will be allowed in the UK for the first time.

Under the Act, 200,000 licensed premises - ranging from late-night takeaways to the UK's biggest pubs and clubs - have had to renew their licenses. But only about 700 premises across the UK have asked for permission to open for 24 hours, although any licensed premises is entitled to resubmit an application for longer hours at any point.

A spokesman for the Reebok Stadium and De Vere Whites said their application will mean they no longer have to apply for special extensions for special events.

Chief Superintendant Dave Lea, head of Bolton Police said: "The ability for a bar to open 24 hours does not necessarily mean that people will drink for 24 hours.

"We will be watching events unfold, and will work closely with the trade.

"We expect high standards among those who manage such premises and high standards of behaviour of those who use them. We will respond robustly if those standards fall."

Unlike some other parts of the country, no petrol stations in the area have applied for 24 hour licences.

But supermarkets which already open round the clock are also keen to get 24 hour licences so customers can buy drink with the rest of their groceries.

Applications are currently being dealt with for Tesco and Asda at Horwich along with Sainburys and Asda at Astley Bridge. A Tesco spokesman said drunks wanting to buy alcohol would not be served.

He said: "In our experience late night customers are shift workers who want to whiz around the store. Rarely has the issue of a drunken customer come up. Our customer base is people wanting to do their weekly shop."

A spokesman for Asda said: "We don't believe the licence will present any problems. We think it is very unlikely stores will be visited at all hours by drunks.

"We have briefed all our colleagues but we are more concerned about underage drinking. We have a policy of checking for ID. But anyone who is drunk and tries to buy alcohol at Asda will be refused."

No-one from Elemets bar was available to comment on their extended hours.