In February all councils will take over the responsibility of issuing new liquor and entertainment licences.

Individual local authorities will issue their own licensing policy. Salisbury has decided to opt for restricted opening hours.

Drinking will be allowed until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and time will be called at 0200 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Councillor Dennis Brown, the Environment and Transport spokesman, said: "We have decided this is not the best option for Salisbury and South Wiltshire.

Increased demand

"In the city, particularly, we have many residents who live in the centre whose lives could be blighted by all night drinking.

"We have also listened carefully to the police and local health authority who have both urged the council to opt for restricted hours."

Both the police and the local health authority wrote to the council expressing fears about 24-hour opening.

Chief Superintendent Jerry Wickham, of Salisbury Police, wrote that he believed policing of 24-hour drinking would result in less police resources during day time and evening hours.

The Chief Executive of Salisbury Health Care NHS Trust, Frank Harsent, said he had concerns that 24 hour opening would put an increased demand on the accident and emergency unit.

The decision will take effect from 7 February.