A BOLTON MP has been chosen to sit on a Parliamentary committee exploring the liberalisation of Britain's drinking hours.

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North-east, will serve on the Licensing Bill committee which seeks to reform the way alcohol sales, pubic entertainment and non-alcoholic refreshments are licensed.

The Bill will affect music and dancing in public places as well as theatres and cinemas.

It is expected to pave the way for local councils, including Bolton's, to grant liquor licenses, adding to their existing responsibility for entertainment and late night cafes.

Mr Crausby described Britain's current licensing laws as an "archaic labyrinth".

He said: "The proposed liberalisation of licensing hours, which is welcomed by many, still presents some uncertainty.

"I am determined to ensure the modernisation of our licensing laws will not increase alcohol abuse and troublesome customers, or have a negative effect on crime. There are some genuine concerns which need to be addressed."

Mr Crausby has also moved to dispel some of the myths surrounding the Bill.

He said music in pubs would not be discouraged by the Bill, nor would community venues be affected.

Busking, school concerts and carols singers would not need licences, and spontaneous performances such as pub sing-alongs would not be outlawed under the proposed legislation.

Mr Crausby said: "I am sorry that people may have been misled by some of the mischievous propaganda circulating about the issues and I am glad to have had the opportunity to put the record straight.

"There is genuine concern about some aspects of the Licensing Bill. Religious, charitable and live music groups have all raised the issue of costs and bureaucracy.

"We must, however, ensure that the Bill provides an opportunity to free up the law -- it should not become complicated in the hands of local government, especially when it comes to licensing fees."