Ministers are facing pressure from Labour MPs and local government leaders to delay the implementation of licensing laws allowing 24-hour drinking.

The Act is set to come into force in November but it has emerged that the Local Government Association has warned it will cost "tens of millions" to cover extra policing needs unless pubs and bars make more of a contribution.

The Mail claims that the government has suppressed a report on how a million drunks per year put Britain's casualty units under massive strain.