A MELKSHAM clergyman has slammed plans to allow some pubs and clubs in west Wiltshire to sell alcohol until midnight on Sundays.

The district council's ruling cabinet has approved the scheme, which is only open to those premises with public entertainment licences and late night opening on other days.

However, the final decision on whether an extension is granted still lies with licensing magistrates.

Pastor John Firth of Good News Church, Melksham, said: "I'm pretty discouraged after seeing statistics that show that 35 per cent of men and 25 per cent of women have been drunk in the last seven days.

"By creating more opportunities for them to live a more hearty lifestyle is killing people and destroying our society."

Trowbridge, Warminster, Westbury and Melksham already have pubs and clubs with late night opening, but no-one has applied for extra hours on a Sunday.

However, Tony Strong, who owns the John Barleycorn pub in Warminster, will apply in the New Year.

He said: "We already have a late night licence and I think the closing time on a Sunday (10.30pm) is too early, especially before a bank holiday.

"I don't expect to have any problems, as fewer people will be leaving at the same time."

Following the change in the law, which came into effect in March, a policy planning group was set up by the council to examine the options for west Wiltshire.

Existing holders of public entertainment licences, the fire brigade, the police, local magistrates, town and parish councils and the general public were invited to give their views during a consultation period.

The cabinet agreed that premises with public entertainment licences should be allowed to stay open on Sundays until midnight, or 2am when the following Monday is a Bank Holiday except at Easter, which is subject to specific laws.

Cllr Trevor Carbin, who chaired the policy planning group, said: "We had to strike a balance between helping local businesses and being sympathetic to those residents who live near the affected pubs and clubs.

"Premises have to meet very stringent conditions to receive a public entertainment licence from the council and they will also have to persuade the licensing magistrates that their application is worthwhile.

"I am confident there are sufficient safeguards in place."