BEER could be served up with breakfast at pubs across the borough during this summer's World Cup, following a legal ruling to extend opening hours for football fans.

A High Court ruling concluded that morning games screened from Japan and South Korea qualify as special events, allowing landlords to apply for extension licences.

Licensing bosses at Bury Magistrates Court, who have already received a number of applications, are now expecting more interest to be generated.

A spokesman said: "Every application will be considered individually and licences will not be granted in a block manner.

"Each pub would have to apply as it would for any extension for a special occasion, giving the times and days that they want to open."

He added that officials were still waiting for guidance on whether pubs without large screens would be able to open.

Landlords generally welcomed the ruling, although not everyone was planning to take advantage of it.

At Whitefield's Derby Hotel, Bury New Road, landlady Sandra Osborne said she had already applied for an extension.

"We're waiting to see what happens with the application, but this court case should help everyone.

"A lot of our punters are quite happy to come along in the morning and book time off work.

"If it all goes ahead we'll be doing the full monty for breakfast which they can wash down with a few pints."

But down the road in Prestwich, Mr Adrian Peacock, licensee at the Priest's Retreat, said: "The only plans I've got are to have an invitation only event with a few friends.

"I love football and it will be a chance for me to put my feet up and watch the games without any hassle.

"It was decided upon a while ago, so we're sticking to that."