RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans is being pressed to support a change in the law to allow dance halls and discos to open on Sundays.

The Tory came eighth in the ballot for Private Members Bills in the House of Commons for the second year running.

Last year he managed to pilot through legislation allowing prisoners convicted of serious violent and sexual crimes to be compulsorily DNA tested for their genetic fingerprints.

This time he is considering a Bill on environmental issues or connected with law and order.

But already he is receiving mail from lobbying groups suggesting topics. The first, within hours of the ballot, came from the British Entertainment and Discotheque Association asking him to amend the 217-year-old Sunday Observance Act which prevents dance halls charging admission on the sabbath.

Mr Evans said: "I am considering what I shall do.

"I am thinking about the environment or law and order. However, I want to introduce a Bill that will become law so I have to be cautious.

"I shall be consulting Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw about whether he has anything appropriate on the shelf."

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