Council approves extended pub hours for Scotland World Cup games

Pubs in Dumfries and Galloway will be allowed to extend their opening hours for Scotland's World Cup matches this summer.

The men's national team is heading to North America to take part in the tournament for the first time since 1998.

But, due to the time difference, the first match against Haiti will not kick off until 02:00 BST on 14 June. The remaining group games, against Morocco and Brazil, start at 23:00 BST.

Dumfries and Galloway Council's licensing board agreed that pubs could stay open until half an hour after the final whistle.

The extended opening option covers all premises where their operating plans include the provision to show televised sport.

It will be in place throughout the tournament for any Scotland fixtures.

The licensing board said it would contact licence holders soon to ask them to indicate their intention to make use of the extension.

"Premises will be reminded to ensure adequate management arrangements are in place, and consider, where appropriate, providing additional stewarding," said a council statement.

Any pub wishing to extend its hours to show any other matches will need to submit an application to the licensing board by 14 April.

Neighbouring Scottish Borders Council agreed a similar extension last month - although it covered all matches involving the home nations, not just Scotland games.

Across the border in England, the government recently announced pubs will be able to stay open late for any home nation knockout match.

Councils across Scotland have been allowed to take their own approach to licensing for the World Cup games.