The Royal Naval Association Club in East Street, Prittlewell, has become the first in Southend to receive its new style licence.

The council is taaking over the control of liquor licensing from the magistrates in November this year.

A spokesman said only between five and ten per cent of licensed premises in Southend had so far come forward.

He said it seemed to have been very slow at first but was now picking up slightly.

A spokesman for the RNA Club said: "We wanted to make sure that everything was in order as soon as possible so there couldn't be any difficulties arising with the club's application."

The reorganisation of licensing could mean any premises which do not have new licenses ib force by November could be forced to close its doors until the issue is sorted out.