BARS and restaurants throughout East Lothian will be able to sell alcohol until 2am during the festive period.

A blanket extension to the normal licensed hours was granted at a meeting of East Lothian Council’s licensing board in Haddington.

The extension runs from Friday, December 15, until Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

Any premises with an alcohol licence is free to take advantage of the extension and does not need to apply to the licensing board for an extension as it would normally be the case.

Councillor Fiona Dugdale, convenor of the licensing committee, read out a statement at last week’s meeting.

She said: “It is appropriate to grant an extension from Friday, December 15, to January 3, 2018, that will allow for the sale of alcohol until 2am.

“There is no need for licence holders to apply for a general extension and they can use this as they see fit.”