A YORK councillor and Punch and Judy operator fears his popular puppet shows could soon be wiped out by new licensing laws.

David Wilde, a former Lord Mayor of York, says government plans to charge operators up to £500 each time they move venue could spell the end for Mr Punch and his nagging wife, Judy.

Under the UK Licensing Act, which comes into force next month, travelling puppet shows will be classed as public entertainment and may have to apply for a performing licence when they move locations.

Councils which regularly host Punch and Judy shows on the sea front could apply for their own licence, but are under no obligation to do so. Coun Wilde, a member of York Licensing Committee, said many operators only manage to scrape a living. "From what I've seen of the act so far it's a jumble of anomalies and muddled thinking," he said. "The operators are right on the edge of the entertainment world and there's been a great deal of concern about this," said Coun Wilde, who has been performing for ten years.

"The people who have drawn up the act can't have any idea at all about the real world. They had to insert a clause about Morris Dancers to ensure they didn't die a death." The shows are currently inspected by local councils. New laws could mean a four-week wait for each application to be processed.

John Howe, a partner at Leeds law firm John Howe & Co, said the act has been drafted in such a way that local authorities could interpret almost whatever they like as licensable performance.

He said: "Amateur operatic societies, small-scale pub entertainment, local drama groups, Scout concerts, schools and charity events could all find themselves strangled in red tape and facing extra costs, although some will be exempt from the fees whilst still requiring a licence."

Updated: 10:34 Thursday, April 08, 2004