Critics have said the advice on 24-hour drinking is too relaxed

The Licensing Act comes into force in November despite fears that it will prompt a rise in alcohol-fuelled crime.

Some councils have argued that guidance issued to themselves and the police works in favour of pubs and clubs and against residents who wish to object.

The government has promised to review its advice early next year.

Town Hall chiefs fear the rules do not give local residents enough power to block pub, bar and restaurant applications.

Appeal

The guidance currently gives pubs and clubs grounds to appeal to magistrates if their application for extended hours is turned down.

The guidance says that "longer licensing hours with regard to the sale of alcohol are important to ensure that the concentrations of customers leaving premises simultaneously are avoided".

It also stresses the importance of "thriving night-time local economies which are important for investment and employment locally and attractive to domestic and international tourists" and "providing consumers with greater choice and flexibility".

Early review

Pubs minister James Purnell told the Financial Times the government wanted to be "conciliatory" and promised a review three months after the new law came into force.

He said: "The LGA have been central in helping us to implement the act and have been extremely constructive all the way through.

"We want to continue to be constructive and that's why we are happy to have an early review of the guidance once 200,000 pubs, clubs and restaurants have been relicensed."

The deadline for people objecting to pub and club applications to extend licensing hours expired earlier this month.

Mr Purnell emphasised that the act already gave town halls the power to take into account local opposition to late opening.

Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Local Government Association chairman, welcomed the plan, saying: "I have argued that the guidance is too liberalising, too strong in encouraging extended hours and too little discretion given to local authorities."