SHEPHERD Neame has hit out at 24-hour pub opening as a Government soundbite which will cost taxpayers money.

Jonathan Neame, managing director of the Faversham-based brewers, said none of the company's 370 pubs will apply for 24-hour opening under the new licensing laws, although 90 per cent will apply to open an extra hour at weekends.

He said: "The change in the law was prompted by media scenes of town centre violence but I hope that people will recognise that the vast majority of pubs never have a problem.

"Up and down the country there are very good licensees who do far more good for the community than bad. They raise money for charity, employ people and use local suppliers."

Talking about 24-hour opening, Mr Neame said: "We don't want it, our customers don't want it, and our licensees don't want it.

"24-hour opening is a Government sound bite which has come back to bite them. Shepherd Neame has always been against the policy but when it became clear they were driving it through we knuckled down to the responsibility."

He said the company is investing £400,000 in a programme to train pub tenants and managers to understand the new law.

He added: "Laws are already in place to control and, if necessary, shut down badly-run licensed premises, and we are fully behind those laws."

He said 24-hour opening would result in extra cost for taxpayers as local to pay for setting up and staffing new council licensing departments.