LANDLORDS and Home Office officials have united against a council ruling which pulled the plug on scores of karaoke shows.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council today refused to back down in the licensing row because some local pubs have already paid out thousands to comply with its strict rules.

Licensees have blasted the council's refusal to relax rules around public entertainment licences and the Home Office also says they are being too strict.

Licensed Victuallers' Association chairman Derek Haworth became the latest publican to be prosecuted by the council for holding a karaoke night without a public entertainment licence last week.

Unlike other authorities, Blackburn with Darwen Council insists that any pubs wanting a public entertainment licence must fit their pub with 'pyro-wiring' - the safest wiring equipment on the market but which costs thousands of pounds.

Nationally, public entertainment licences are not needed for discos or for performance by solo artists or duos.

But they are needed for karaoke nights because at least three people can be on stage at one time.

Mr Haworth, who runs the Fox and Hounds pub in Ewood, was conditionally discharged by Blackburn Magistrates last week after pleading guilty to breaching licensing laws and ordered to pay £260 costs.

He showed magistrates a Home Office circular which said that the requirements for a licence being imposed by some councils on pubs were excessive.

It also urged councils to judge each application on its merits rather than having a blanket policy.

No other East Lancashire authority demands pyro-wiring, but they do inspect premises to make sure they are suitable for such an event.

But Coun Jim Blackburn, chairman of the licensing committee, said the rules will not change.

He said: "If people have a problem with the rules, we will listen to them, but they should not break the law to prove a point. We have prosecuted in the past and will do so in the future if we feel it is appropriate.

"We aren't the only strict authority. We just want people to be safe."

Mr Haworth said: "If I had a pub in Bolton, Accrington or Burnley I would be able to have karaoke evenings. I have fire exits left, right and centre, I have circuit breakers across the pub which means if a fire did break out on the equipment it couldn't spread because the electrics would shut down.

"The irony is that I can have a telly on while holding a disco but I have to have an entertainment licence to hold karaoke, which is basically the same but with words on the screen!"

Geoff Sutcliffe, of the LVA and landlord of the Rising Sun, Wilpshire, said: "We don't condone our members breaking the rules but publicans in Blackburn and Darwen are at a disadvantage."

Lib Dem leader for Blackburn with Darwen Coun Paul Browne said: "The council's ridiculously strict laws are killing off our pubs and clubs. The fact magistrates are giving conditional discharges for this obviously proves they don't see it as a bad crime."

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The current legislation gives local authorities considerable discretion.

"The document was designed to promote fairness, consistency and transparency.

"The Home Office has received complaints that some licensing authorities have insisted on a condition that all electrical wiring equipment must conform to current building regulations, even though there is no question of safety.

"Such conditions are excessive."