Killjoy pub bosses will stamp out revellers' plans to see the Millennium in with a bang - by calling time on drinkers' fun before they even get started.

As brewers seek to avoid sky-high staff costs, some of Croydon's pubs could have lock-outs come the big night.

Drinkers had been thrilled by the prospect of relaxed licensing laws allowing landlords to open for 48 hours over the Millennium, but many will now be left high and dry.

JD Wetherspoon confirmed it will call last orders at 8pm on New Year's Eve in its pubs which include The George and The Skylark in Croydon as well as the Moon Under Water in Norbury and The Foxley Hatch in Purley.

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said: "Some of our customers will be disappointed but I think they will accept what we are doing. Our staff work hard all year and this is a good opportunity to let them have the night off."

For those who have to man the pumps, there is good news - according to the Firkin pub chain, bar staff could be looking at £200 for a night's work.

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