A PUB landlord says he was stunned to find that proceedings had been taken against him in the High Court for failing to have a licence to play music.

Chris Ball, of The Outback pub, in Bishop Auckland, says he was unaware that any legal proceedings involving him were taking place in London yesterday.

At the High Court hearing, Mr Justice Pumfrey was told that Mr Ball had been caught playing music at the premises when he did not hold a Phonographic Performance Licence.

Simon Baronowitz, counsel for Phonographic Performance Ltd, which made the complaint, said that one of its inspectors called at the premises in March and heard songs being played.

The judge ruled that The Outback pub should remain a music-free zone until Mr Ball brought his licence up-to-date and that he should pay court costs of £1,100.

The penalties for disobeying the order are a fine of up to £10,000 and up to two years in prison.

Speaking from The Outback yesterday, Mr Ball, who took over the pub in June, said he had recently paid for a licence and was unaware that a further £1,500 had to be paid for the following year's licence.

After being alerted to the court ruling, Mr Ball, who is also vice-chairman of Bishop Auckland's licensing committee, said he would be paying the licence fee immediately.

He said: "I have had nothing in the post about this. I will be paying it first thing tomorrow."

A spokesman for Phonographic Performance Ltd said: "I can't speak on this specific case, but it is important for people to understand we are here to issue a licence. We are not here to take businesses to court.

"If people are going to play sound recordings in public, they need permission. Leisure centres, shops, cafes, anywhere that plays music in public needs to take a licence from the copyright holders, which is the PPL."