LANDLORDS were singing with joy today after a council did a major U-turn over a 'crazy' pub karaoke policy.

Blackburn with Darwen Council had told landlords they needed expensive wiring in order to stage the popular music nights.

Today it withdrew the policy, leaving landlords free to hold karaoke nights without fear of prosecution.

But it wasn't all good news as pub owners were told they face a 200 per cent rise in the cost of buying a public entertainment licence as part of the changes.

And one landlord who forked out £40,000 for the expensive pyro-wiring threatened to take the council to court after the change in policy.

Council chiefs did the U-turn after a government circular said some authorities were being too tough.

Landlords across Blackburn with Darwen labelled council bosses crazy last year after a string of pub bosses were taken to court for holding karaoke nights without a public entertainment licence.

They said they could not afford to spend thousands on installing pyro-wiring, which is a non-flammable thick form of wire, before being granted a licence.

Among those prosecuted was Derek Haworth, who is chairman of Blackburn's Licensed Victuallers' Association. He was ordered to pay £260 costs after being given a conditional discharge for holding an event without the correct licence.

He claimed Blackburn with Darwen Council was the only one in the area to insist on pyro-wiring, putting landlords at a disadvantage compared with ones in other areas.

The LVA's protests prompted the council to review its policy. Government guidelines also suggested Blackburn with Darwen was being too strict.

Today, Coun Maureen Bateson, the councillor in charge of licensing, said: "We have reviewed our policy and we will be more flexible in the future.

"We will judge each case on its merits.

"It may not be that each pub has to have pyro-wiring but we will certainly have to make sure the existing wiring is safe.

"To cover the cost of carrying out such examinations, we will have to increase the cost of a public entertainment licence."

Until now, the standard cost of a public entertainment licence has been £100.

In future, prices will start at £300 and increase depending on the number of people a venue holds and what time it opens until.

Pubs can put on solo artists or double acts or discos without a public entertainment licence.

Coun Bateson added: "Venues in the town centre will be charged extra because a lot of our time is spent there.

"Also, we are no longer able to charge for the course which doormen have to go on to become registered. Doormen working in places with a public entertainment licence have to be registered. They are taught things like crowd control and first aid.

"We need to cover our costs and this is an important aspect of keeping the town safe."

LVA chairman Mr Haworth, who runs the Fox and Hounds at Ewood, said: "This is good news and it is good that they have seen sense.

"For me to have had pyro-wiring installed would have meant I would have had to close for eight weeks and have my rent increased by the brewery. It would have cost me thousands.

"I suppose paying £300 for a licence and not having to get pyro-wiring is a way forward but I still think that is too much for a licence.

"I just hope the council doesn't come up with another reason to stop us having licences."

Gerry Bell, who runs several pubs, including the Ewood Arms in Blackburn, said: "To say I am annoyed is an understatement.

"I have played by the rules, even when others were flouting them. I have spent more than £40,000 on wiring for two pubs while other people just carried on regardless.

"It was right that they were punished but wrong that the council can just change its mind. I am seeing my solicitor on Monday to see if I can take them to court to get my money back."