HYNDBURN Council is investigating "illegal" karaoke in a Clayton-le-Moors pubs.

Environmental health officers were asked to look into reports of unlicensed entertainment in the town by a council committee.

Members of the Judicial Committee, who meet to decide issues including whether pubs should be given entertainment licences, has ordered the investigation following a meeting last week.

At the meeting, while deciding whether or not to grant the landlord of the Lamb Inn in Whalley Road, Raymond Duberry, an entertainment licence, it was revealed that a number of pubs in Clayton may be holding entertainment without permission.

The case was adjourned until a report was prepared for the committee members, including an investigation into the claims.

Today Coun Tim O'Kane, Clayton-le-Moors representative, said: "I have been contacted by landlords concerned about it, saying: Why is somebody able to run karaoke and not pay for it?

"I am reluctant to comment because they're in the process of coming up with a new licensing conditions. But it isn't fair if somebody is paying for a full licence and others are abusing it."

Under the law, pubs wanting to hold entertainment need a licence if more than two people are involved, singing, for instance.

A spokesman for Hyndburn Council said: "It is an offence to provide this type of entertainment to members of the public at premises which are not licensed for the purpose.

"Following the meeting, letters have been sent out to the licensees informing them of the allegations, and requesting them to contact Environmental Health Services in order to ensure that no entertainment which would require the premises to be licensed for public entertainment is provided in future.

"Licences are required under the provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, with certain exemptions for premises providing public entertainment."