THE wording of an official form has been blamed for raising worries about karaoke in Kempsey.

Kempsey Parish Council was led to believe that karaoke could be on the cards after considering an application for a public entertainment licence at the Seaborne Inn on the Court Meadow Holiday Park.

They recommended conditions to protect the neighbours from noise after one member commented that karaoke six nights a week could drive someone to insanity.

But the applicant, Elaine Alden, said there was never any intention of holding karaoke nights.

She had simply ticked a box on the standard application form marked "music (including karaoke)."

"This is a very quiet and tranquil spot and we want to keep it that way," she said.

"We have no intention of hosting karaoke or playing loud music to the early hours of the morning.

"We provide a service for caravan and boat owners, who are chiefly middle aged people and we would like people walking by the riverside to be able to pop in for a drink without having to sign in as a member."

The pub is only open at weekends and bank holidays and if there was a sing-song it would take place in a corner of the pub, not outside, she said.