A MIDDLESBROUGH pub has been granted its first public entertainments licence.

The move means the Halfpenny in Easson Street, Middlesbrough, can now hold karaoke sessions, and Northern Soul nights.

Landlady Debra Moloney said: "The new licence means we are attracting new business from people that may not have come to the pub before.''

Only last year the pub scored a first on Teesside when solicitors Mincoffs successfully obtained a Section 16 Permit allowing cash bingo to be played on the premises.

The granting of the public entertainments licence follows detailed discussions with Middlesbrough Council and Cleveland Police.

Solicitor Tom Moss, spokesman for Mincoffs said: "Anyone wishing to have entertainment in their establishments must have a Public Entertainment Licence.

"There are few exceptions to this rule. Sometimes the applications are very straight forward, not so at other times.''