The Prime Minister has called for a rethink on pub opening hours during the football World Cup after ministers initially appeared to have ruled out extra time for England matches.

Publicans had asked to be able to open longer on two weekends during the tournament in Brazil this summer.

Their plea was rejected by the Home Office saying the tournament was not a "one-off" event like the Queen's Jubilee.

But Downing Street confirmed yesterday (Monday) that licensed premises would be allowed to stay open during England's game against Italy which kicks off at 11pm on Saturday, June 14.

The pub industry had put in an application on behalf of all pubs to allow them to stay open from 11pm until 1am on the opening weekend of the tournament.

It also asked for an extra two hours on the closing weekend, of July 11 and 12, when the final will be played.

It said it would cost the licensing trade three quarters of a million pounds if individual licences were applied for.