LIVE music in west Wiltshire could be under threat from a new law going through Parliament.

The new licensing bill was introduced to Parliament in November and will mean musical events will have to be covered by an entertainment licence.

The law will cover a huge number of local events from bands playing in pubs to hiring a band for a wedding in your own home.

The government is claiming that the bill has been misinterpreted and will not be as strictly observed as people think, but local musicians say this does not matter in the eyes of a prosecuting judge, and fines will be strictly imposed.

If the bill goes through as it is, playing music without the necessary licence will be punishable with a £20,000 fine, or six months in jail.

Grant Newton's son, Adam, stars in a local band called Blackbud. They have dates booked in pubs in Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon this month.

Mr Newton said: "Young bands usually start out playing to small venues. They need this experience to either realise that music is not for them or to develop their skills, enabling them to move on to bigger things.

"Many young people are dedicated musicians. Maybe the Government would prefer them to focus on drinking in the pubs instead of performing."

Kim Howells, the minister in the Government department for Culture, Media and Sport responsible for licensing, has defended the new bill. He promised pubs would not be put off hosting bands because they would be granted the entertainment licence for free.

West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison said: "The bill that was originally suggested was a complete mess. I am pleased that ministers seem to be having a major rethink.

"In its original form this bill would affect a huge swathe of our community from folk musicians in pubs to Brownies and morris men."