Conservationists have warned of an explosion in anti-social behaviour if pubs are allowed to open 24 hours a day.

The Kingscliffe Society, an environment, conservation and enhancement group in Brighton, is fighting for amendments to the new Bill to scrap existing licensing laws.

The organisation fears the laws could damage the local economy rather than boost it.

Members are urging residents to contact MPs across the city to press for amendments to the Bill.

Dr Janie Thomas, honorary secretary of the society, said it was important to distinguish between the evening economy and the late-night economy.

While the former could bring vibrancy to town and city centres by later opening of shops, sport and cultural events as well as restaurants and bars, the emerging post-midnight late-night economy was already causing problems of crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour, noise and nuisance in parts of Brighton and across the country.

Dr Thomas said: "We fear that as it stands, the Bill, far from providing a means of tackling those problems, will make things worse."

The Government has said it is proposing the Bill to bring licensing laws in England and Wales in line with Europe but those in opposition say the British drinking culture is about getting drunk rather than enjoying alcohol as an addition to a social event.

The Kingscliffe Society is a member of the Civic Trust, founded to foster high standards of planning and architecture in towns and cities against the background of bomb-damage and post-war development.

The Civic Trust is part of the Open All Hours group, which is campaigning for greater protection to be given to the residents of town and city centres affected by the late-night economy.

Roger Rolfe, of the Kingscliffe Society, is also on the alcohol working group, set up by the Civic Trust and the Institute of Alcohol Studies.

He lives in Kemp Town and keeps a noise diary of when he is woken by drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.

He said: "There's this idea that once we have the same relaxed attitude to the drink laws as in Europe, we will all become Tuscans drinking in the sun. We are not going to change the character of these people who cause a disturbance by allowing them to drink until 2, 3, 4 or 5am."

The Kingscliffe Society wants three amendments to the Bill. Firstly, it wants local authorities, who will be granting the licences, to be allowed to take into account the cumulative impact of large numbers of bars in one area having late licences when determining an application.

Secondly, local authorities to be able to have local discretion to respond to local conditions, rather than just be the administration body granting licences almost automatically.

Thirdly, the society wants local authorities to be able to set their own fees to meet the costs of having late licences.