All-day opening in all of the chain's 650 pubs is not planned

The chain has already applied to Leeds City Council for such a licence at the city railway station branch.

Applications for around 10 Wetherspoon pubs at Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted and Edinburgh airports could follow, according to spokesman Eddie Gershon.

But all-day opening in all of the chain's 650 pubs is not planned.

The chain also wants to extend opening times in the majority of its other branches.

It emerged that JD Wetherspoon is now deciding whether to lodge applications for pubs at Victoria and Liverpool Street stations in London.

The reason we have made the application is because those sites are open 24 hours but we are not looking to do this across the high street Eddie Gershon JD Wetherspoon spokesman

Mr Gershon said: "We have got 650 pubs across the UK in total. About 13 are within railway stations and airports.

"The reason we have made the application is because those sites are open 24 hours but we are not looking to do this across the high street."

However, he said the chain was considering applying to open at 0700 "across the board", although alcohol would not be served for two hours.

Under the plans Wetherspoon pubs could close at 0030 from Sunday to Thursday and half an hour later on Friday and Saturday.

The Licensing Act, which allows 24-hour opening, comes into full force in England and Wales in November, despite vocal criticism concerning the dangers of binge-drinking.