With pubs being allowed to open for 36 hours straight over the New Year, the message from the local police is have a good time, but don't spoil anyone else's evening.

With the year 2002 less than two weeks away, police have been finalising their plans for the New Year celebrations in the area, which this year will include publicans being allowed to remain open from 11 am on New Year's Eve to 11 pm on New Year's Day, if they wish, following the Government's decision to de-regulate licensing laws over the New Year period.

Acting Inspector Steve Briton, of Tenby police station, told the Observer that the police response to this year's festivities would be little different to last year.

There would be some 20 officers, plus specials and police volunteers covering Tenby and Saundersfoot for the traditional end of year festivities.

Tudor Square, Tenby, where revellers traditionally gather to welcome in the new year, would be coned off from 7 pm on New Year's Eve to prevent vehicles from parking.

Although vehicles would still be allowed into the square for picking up and dropping off, from 11 pm until after midnight, there will be no access into the town centre, with all vehicles being redirected at White Lion corner.

The acting inspector said that crowds of between 5,000 and 6,000 were expected, but the situation in the square would be monitored to ensure that numbers did not exceed a safe limit.

In the interests of safety, local builders working in the square had agreed to erect hoarding around their scaffolding, while the police had been working with licensees to ensure that people did not take glasses and bottles out into the streets, and would be given plastic glasses instead.

Some 4,000 people were anticipated at Saundersfoot Chamber of Trade and Tourism's third annual New Year celebrations on Saundersfoot harbour.

A more family orientated affair than Tenby's more spontaneous Tudor Square festivities, the Saundersfoot event will see a marquee erected on the harbourside, with music and children's entertainment from between 7 pm and 12.30 am.

Acting Inspector Britton felt that the de-regulation allowing 36-hour drinking would work to the advantage of the police.

"It will allow people to pace themselves and hopefully it will discourage binge drinking," he said.

"From our point of view, it will mean that there will be a gradual dispersal of crowds throughout the evening.

"We don't want to stop any high spirits, but there will be a firm but fair approach to any disorder.

"At the end of the day, we want people to enjoy the night, and make sure that they don't spoil anyone else's enjoyment," he added.