YORK is poised to go breakfast beer crazy next summer, as pubs look set to get the nod for early World Cup openings.

Landlords wanting to serve alcohol for the England games, set to be staged at 7am and 9am, can apply to magistrates for a special licence to open at 6am.

The news has been welcomed by big-screen owning landlords across the city.

"I think it is a cracking idea," said Paul Clarey, joint licensee at the Rose & Crown, in Lawrence Street, York.

"We were planning to open anyway, just serving breakfasts and no beer - but now we will hopefully be able to offer it. We opened early for the Rugby this year and lots of people were asking for a drink, so I am sure people will want to drink.

"We will be applying for this licence and will be definitely open for the England games if they let us. A lot of people will be on holiday, and people drink on vacation, so why not in England? "I think it will be fantastic - we will open on request."

Selby MP John Grogan said: "Following an article in the Evening Press I tabled a Parliamentary question asking about a de-regulation order to be passed through parliament to allow some relaxation of licensing during the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

"I can imagine the scene on a sunny Saturday in June when England play Brazil in a World Cup quarter-final with a kick-off at 10am. I'm sure tourists and residents alike in cities like York would appreciate pubs serving a good English breakfast washed down with a glass of beer or champagne, according to taste."

But York licensing officer Ashley Fitzhugh said: "I wonder how many people would actually do it.

"I think it needs a lot of consideration and may require a change in the law to be achieved.

"It may lead to problems if people are drunk at nine in the morning."

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, November 03, 2001