A third of all pubs, clubs and bars in England and Wales licensed to sell alcohol will enjoy extended opening hours from midnight tonight, new research reveals.

Some 60,326 outlets will be allowed to sell alcohol for longer than they currently do under new licensing laws coming into force on Thursday.

But according to the study by the BBC, of 301 of the UK's 375 licensing authorities, only a tiny proportion - 1,121 establishments - will receive 24-hour licences. Some 358 of these are pubs or clubs.

Alongside extended opening, the new licensing regulations include stronger powers for police and local authorities to deal with anti-social behaviour and licensees breaking the law.

Licensing minister James Purnell has hailed the changes as 'the toughest ever crackdown on alcohol fuelled violence'. As well as dealing with drunks causing trouble, 5,500 sting operations will take place around the UK in the run-up to Christmas to deal with retailers who sell alcohol to under-age children.

Yesterday, Purnell admitted there was likely to be an increase in alcohol related arrests from Thursday but claimed it would be a measure of the success of the new powers.

Shadow culture secretary Theresa May, however, attacked Purnell's comments as ‘absurd’.

While many drinkers will no doubt be piling into their local watering hole to celebrate the longer opening tomorrow, business groups have warned that some licensees face prosecution for trading illegally.

Under the new rules, all firms selling alcohol were required to renew their licence even if they do not want extended opening hours.

Rex Garratt, national spokesman for the Forum of Private Business, said: "We have a situation here where a significant number of businesses have lost their licence to sell alcohol because of bureaucracy and a law that no-one really wanted because it was irrelevant to most small businesses.

"The new licensing transfer regulation is one of the worst pieces of bureaucracy we have come across. The registration forms were too long and complex and they sent out a message that was unclear."

Police authorities have suggested that during the first few weeks that the legislation is in force only rogue licensees which encourage anti-social behaviour through irresponsble drinks promotions will face prosecution.