CHOIRS, musicians, church and village hall groups have welcomed news of a Government U-turn on the introduction of entertainment licence fees for performances and rehearsals.

But some uncertainty remains over the future of informal folk music in pubs.

Culture Minister Kim Howells announced the changes to the Licensing Bill and said the Government did not want to threaten church music or village hall shows.

Les Crelling, of the 80-strong Northallerton Male Voice Choir, said the Bill was badly-drafted and hasty. The choir's concerts brought in £900 annually for good causes, including halls and churches, but fees could have been £1,000 per year.

"The Bill was seemingly drafted without any great regard to groups affected. Our choir does a lot of charity concerts at villages and we're preparing for a concert at Ainderby Steeple.

"We usually charge very little, just to cover our costs. This Bill would have killed concerts and rehearsals stone-dead."

Mr Crelling, a former Hambleton Council officer, wrote to the Prime Minister and put his name to a 47,000-signature internet petition. He remained uncertain about the two-in-a-bar rule, which allowed two singers or musicians to perform in a pub without a licence. The Bill would have required landlords to have a licence.

"Folk music thrives in pubs and there are no restrictions in Scotland. This loophole needs addressing"

The Rev Keith Phipps, minister at Northallerton Methodist Church, said: "This would have had a major impact on the social events and worship as well. We were taking this very seriously."

Musician Rod Hall, of Reeth, is involved in numerous Dales events, and plays in a folk band and country band. He was amazed the Labour Government, which claimed to represent ordinary people, ever devised the Bill.

"It was crackers. Churches and halls are already greatly affected by disabled access requirements. This would have created further expense. We should be encouraging music, not creating more red tape."

Kath Watts, of Hutton Rudby Village Hall committee, had just renewed the hall's entertainment licence for free. Thousands of pounds have been raised to extend the hall, so licence fees were not wanted.

"Traditionally, we've been exempt from costs and income is really important. We have our own drama society productions and probably six shows by visiting groups annually."

Dr Ashok Kumar, Labour MP for East Cleveland, welcomed the news. He acknowledged widespread fears, but said licensing laws were outdated and parts of the Bill would help police tackle drunkenness.

Anne McIntosh, Conservative MP for the Vale of York, said the Government climbed down because it faced defeat. The exemptions were welcome, but did not address problems faced by thousands of other venues that currently needed no licence. The messy Bill should be withdrawn