Regional authorities in Ibiza have introduced new laws forbidding any clubs from opening between 6am and 6pm, bringing to an end years of all day partying.

Regional authorities in Ibiza have introduced new laws forbidding any clubs from opening between 6am and 6pm, bringing to an end years of all day partying.

Reports from the Independent newspaper say that Ibiza Town and Sant Josep have joined San Antonio in banning venues from opening during those daylight hours, calling time for the all hours raves that clubs like Space and DC10 were famous for.

The Consell Insular d'Evissa is enacting these new laws in an attempt to crack down on drug use and the violent gang clashes that have apparently resulted from the clubs opening during the day time. Residents have been concerned about this for some time, and last summer was marked by the closure of Amnesia, Bora Bora and DC10 after displaying a "lax attitude" towards drug dealers in their clubs.

The 2007 season saw around 720 people arrested in drug-related offences and 2006 saw holidaymakers Gareth Richardson and Niall Hamilton from Northern Ireland, wounded after being caught up in violence between 'rival British drug gangs', as well as three people killed in gang shoot-outs over the last couple of years.

So this year, local police, tourist officials and councillors have decided that risking the international appeal of the island as a chillout haven and daytime party destination is worth it to directly tackle the more dangerous problems.

Realistically, though, we can't imagine it having a huge impact on these things, as like Pepe Rosello, owner of Space, said "The new rules ... also open the door to more illegal parties in houses and on the beaches."