Landlords planning to extend their opening hours for the Lions tour are being advised to act quickly before the council calls time.

As our boys in red prepare to head Down Under, Carmarthenshire County Council’s licensing officers are also limbering up to deal with an influx of temporary event applications from pubs and restaurants who want to open up early for rugby fans.

Lions games kick off at 8.35am GMT, and for many licensees that means they have to apply to extend their opening hours and apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) – a process that takes up to 10 working days.

So with the first match scheduled for June 3, it leaves just days for landlords to submit their applications.

The last day for submitting a standard TEN is Thursday, May 18, due to the Bank Holiday that falls between now and the tour kicking off.

Licensees are being advised to visit the licensing section of the council’s website for information and advice, and encouraged to complete the process online which makes it quicker and easier.

Environmental Health Manager, Sue Watts, said: "Time is running out for licensees who want to hold events outside their normal hours for the Lions tour.

"We need at least 10 clear working days to process TEN applications due to the checks we need to make before granting a licence.

“We don’t want people to miss out, so are urging licensees to apply before Thursday, May 18.”

For more information email SCHLicensing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 234567.