A big shake-up of licensing laws next year will give more power to local councils which they believe will help in the fight to control the rise in drunken misbehaviour.

Foremost among them will be Brighton and Hove which has one of the highest concentrations of licensed premises outside London.

The council, which will take over licensing alcohol sales from magistrates in November 2005, thinks the changes will help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the city.

It is asking residents and businesses to comment on the new powers which include determining opening and closing times and considering applications for 24-hour opening.

There are also plans to change the types of licences issued. The council will be able to grant premises licences, personal licences, temporary event notices and club premises certificates.

The aims is to reform and modernise the archaic and unwieldy licensing regime.

Licensing councillor Don Turner said that under the new laws, licensees will be able to choose the days and times they wish to sell alcohol or provide entertainment.

He said: "These new powers give the council the opportunity to set flexible opening hours which benefit the licensee and also take into account the impact on local residents and the surrounding area.

"It's a great opportunity to clamp down on the crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour perpetrated by a minority, whilst giving the majority more freedom and choice about how they spend their leisure time.

"Giving the public a greater say in the licensing process will encourage a more civilised and responsible approach to alcohol consumption while giving business more freedom."