PEOPLE wanting to stay out late in London at the weekend will be able to paint the capital's tiles even redder and get home even later now Tube bosses have decided to run the eastbound Central Line for an extra half and hour at weekends from next year.

Those wanting to get about after getting up with the birds on Saturday mornings will also get their wish as the Central Line will also start one hour earlier.

The last Tubes will leave the centre of London at around 1am on Friday and Saturday nights, starting from May 2007.

London' Mayor Ken Livingstone made the announcement on Friday after travellers were asked for their views.

He said: "We know that the majority of Londoners would like the Tube to run later at weekends, so that they can travel home safely after a night out at a theatre or a club."

Transport for London (TfL) research last year showed that a significant minority of travellers used the Tube to get to work early at the weekend.

From the middle of next year, trains will arrive in central London on Saturday morning from around 7am and as usual from around 7.30am on Sundays.

Richard Parry, London Underground strategy and service development director, said that most users of the service wanted a later-running Tube but that the decision struck the right balance between their needs and those of early risers.

The break in service during the night is essential so that track, train and signal maintenance can take place.

London Underground plans to keep the same staffing levels for the extended service and is working with the British Transport Police to ensure enough officers are available to staff the extension.

TfL is also investigating extending bus services so that people will still be able to get about early on Saturday mornings.

For more information on first and last trains, see www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/travelinfo/ firstandlast.