MUSIC and TV have been banned at dozens of pubs across York and North Yorkshire.

Tadcaster brewers Samuel Smiths have ordered landlords to switch off juke boxes, background music and televisions.

The move is understood to be partly in response to plans to hike the cost of a licence to play music to increase record company royalties.

But landlords and customers are deeply unhappy at the decision, saying it is ruining the atmosphere and driving customers away.

Licensees said they were barred from talking to the media, but one - speaking anonymously - said: "It's like a morgue in here.

"People don't want to talk in case they are overheard. Trade is already being affected. It's absolutely ridiculous.

"We will have Christmas without Jingle Bells and New Year's Eve without Auld Lang Syne." The Mayor of Tadcaster, Coun Don Bain-Mackay, who drinks at a Sam Smiths pub in the town, the Angel And White Horse, said the TV and music system had been taken out, and he was staggered at the decision.

"It's unbelievable in this day and age," he said.

"My daughter went to the Angel And White Horse last night and said it was like a morgue - very subdued."

He thought the ruling would drive customers away to other pubs. "Whatever next? Will darts and dominoes be considered too noisy?"

A Samuel Smith's employee, asked by the Evening Press why the ruling had been brought in, said today the company would not be making any comment under any circumstances.

But it is understood that it may be linked to plans by Phonographic Performance Ltd, the body which makes sure record companies receive loyalties, to increase the cost of licences in 2006.

Updated: 10:29 Friday, December 03, 2004