CLUBBERS in Kidderminster can prepare to see the New Year in with a bang after a strict 200-year-old dancing law was lifted.

New Year's Eve had threatened to turn into a damp squib for party-goers because dancing events on that night would have fallen foul of the 1780 Sunday Observance Act, which prohibits dancing for which a charge is made.

One nightclub had decided not to open for the occasion and several other venues in the town were unsure whether to open their doors.

However, the archaic legislation, which is ignored in many parts of the country but has been strictly enforced in Wyre Forest for many years, is being lifted in a nationwide move and dancing will go ahead at venues throughout Kidderminster.

And the Home Office deregulation order, which is being rushed through by the Government to amend Sunday dancing provision, will allow venues to charge entry for dancing on all Sundays in future.

The change has been welcomed by the boss of a Kidderminster entertainments firm who appeared on a national TV programme criticising the Wyre Forest Licensing Forum's strict enforcement of the laws.

Brian Davies, boss of Upfront Entertainments, appeared on BBC2's Scrutiny programme with former district MP Anthony Coombs in 1996 in an attempt to highlight the problem in Wyre Forest.

And Mr Davies believes the move will benefit the public in more ways than one. He said: "I deal with nightclubs across the country where dancing goes on until 1am on Mondays.

"And even if some like to ignore it, drink driving is always a threat when people travel to other places in the Midlands by car because they can't go to a nightclub and dance in their own town."

Wyre Forest MP David Lock, who pressed the district's case with the Government, said: "The occasion has been rescued from turning into a damp squib and everybody will be able to dance within the law."