NEWENT Town Council has been forced to apply for public entertainment licences to allow key events to go ahead.

Under new laws, the council has to apply for licences to cover specific areas of land it owns. They cost a one-off £100 plus £70 a year.

At a meeting on Monday, councillors agreed to seek a licence to cover the Lakeside area, which would allow events like the Bands in the Park series to be held.

Bands have already been booked for May to September.

They also agreed to seek a licence for under the Market House, to allow music to be played as part of Newent Onion Fayre. They hope to extend that to include the central street area, with the agreement of Gloucestershire County Council. This would allow Dancing Through the Dean displays to be held.

It will not seek a licence for the Recreation Ground but will give permission to Dan-ter's funfair to get one.