BUNGLING Government officials have been criticised over new pub laws - with one Worcestershire council boss labelling them "disgraceful".

A change in laws making councils responsible for issuing licenses to pubs, clubs and their owners came into force this month but has been hit with glitches.

Problems highlighted in the county include:

n Criminal record checks being processed in Scotland because English offices are not ready.

n Application forms being "crammed" with errors and final versions published only days before the new rules came into force.

n Confusion over which licence-holders' qualifications had been accredited.

Worcester City Council's environmental health manager Martin Gillies said he had alerted the Criminal Records Bureau that it was needed to carry out checks.

He also informed the British Institute of Innkeeping that the Government was using one of its qualifications as proof applicants were fit to hold a licence.

"It's causing all sorts of problems. It's a lack of communication to the licensing trade and licensing authorities," he said.

Chris Bocock, chief executive of Malvern Hills District Council, wrote to the Government minister responsible for the system, saying the Department of Culture, Media and Sport's performance was "nothing short of disgraceful".

Phil Browning, senior licensing officer in Malvern and a vice-chairman of the British Institute of Licensing, estimated councils would face paying tens of thousands of pounds because licence fees will not cover costs.

A spokesperson for the DCMS said the final forms were published so late as they had to be checked thoroughly.

She said having CRB checks take place in Scotland was no different from having them done elsewhere in the country and that fees could be reviewed.

"It is about getting used to the new system and monitoring the new Act and I would urge people to have patience," she added.

Chairman of the Worcestershire Licensees' and Victuallers' Association, Mike Stevens said the average city pub was being "strangled by red tape".

"It's not a particularly well thought out piece of legislation.

Now it's the responsibility of the local authority is has become political. Previously it was down to independent-minded magistrates.

"Now a licensee has to send away nine copies of forms to nine different people. Red tape is strangling the average Worcester pub."