TOWN Hall chiefs today vowed to stick to their guns and prosecute pubs illegally holding karaoke nights and insisted: "Public safety comes first."

The chairman of Blackburn's Licensed Victuallers Association hit out over Blackburn with Darwen Council's strict licensing conditions after he was prosecuted for holding a karaoke night without a public entertainment licence.

Derek Haworth, who runs the Hare and Hounds pub in Ewood, claimed such licences were almost impossible for small pubs to get because council chiefs were demanding that pubs were totally rewired to make them ultra-safe.

Other authorities, including Hyndburn, Burnley and Bolton, do not demand the same conditions and the Home Office has sent out a circular claiming such demands are too harsh. But Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for rights and entitlements, a portfolio which includes licence enforcement, hit back.

She said: "The council's public entertainment licensing conditions are taken from Home Office guidance.

"The council has written to the Home Office for clarification as to whether certain types of entertainment, including karaoke, require an entertainment licence, and the Home Office has concurred with the council's interpretation that it does.

"A survey carried out two years ago found that the standards adopted by Blackburn with Darwen were in line with the majority of other local authorities in the region.

"The council hoped that the recent proposals to amend liquor and public entertainment licensing would be an opportunity to update and review licensing requirements in respect of modern forms of entertainment and, indeed, licensing hours.

"The council has set up a public entertainment licensing forum, including representatives, from the licensed trade to review the implementation of the new proposals, which have now been delayed by Parliament."

Under the current rules, pubs can hold discos or performances by solo artists or duos, but karaoke requires a licence because it is believed three people are on stage at any one time -- a singer, a backing singer and a DJ.

Three pubs have been prosecuted in the last three months with one more pending. Other pubs are also known to be operating without a licence.

Coun Bateson added: "The council only carries out investigations when complaints have been received.

"Informal advice is given to licensees on the types of entertainment that requires a licence.

"When advice is ignored and complaints continue, the council has no alternative but to prosecute.

Some 80 venues in Blackburn have entertainment licences, issued once pyro-wiring has been installed.

They include nightclubs, pubs and even schools.

Pyro wiring is a trade brand of protected electrical cabling . The cabling is heavy duty and offers greater protection from mechanical damage.

It was initially suggested as a condition for entertainment licences by the Home Office.

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "We have recommended councils treat applications on a case to case basis.

"Some authorities were being too severe. Licences are administered at the discretion of local authorities but we want to see some consistency."