Clubbers to toast royals until 4am

EDINBURGH is set to see 4am drinking licenses for the night of next month's royal wedding after city councillors approved plans to "look favourably" on pubs and clubs who apply for an extension on that day.

Licence board members turned down a possible blanket extension across pubs and clubs in the Capital on April 29, and two-hour extensions which would see nightclubs serve alcohol until 5am.

However, pubs hoping to extend their licence from 1am to 2am and clubs from 3am to 4am will receive special dispensation on a case-by-case basis.

Councillors were asked to clarify the situation in Edinburgh by pub trade groups after the UK Home Office granted a blanket extension of one hour across England and Wales. where pubs often close at 11pm.

A council spokesman said: "The Licensing Board express an intention to look favourably on applications for up to one extended hour."