IN a bid to prevent the confusion concerning the opening hours of pubs that usually tends to exist around Christmas, police have released opening times that will apply during the festive season.

This year it is a mixture of good news and bad news. Bars will open on Christmas day but they will only be permitted to serve up until 10pm.

Drinking hours that apply over the bank holidays are:

· Christmas Eve: Normal Sunday hours, 12.30pm to 10pm, or midnight with a late licence. Plus 30 minutes 'drinking up' time.

· Christmas Day: 12.30pm to 10pm, plus 30 minutes drinking up. No late licences apply.

· New Year's Eve: Sunday, 12.30pm to 10pm, or 1am with a late licence, plus 30 minutes drinking up.

Normal hours apply on New Year's Day, Monday, January 1.