A DROITWICH Spa hotel boss has been told to pay up or shut up by London's High Court for playing music without a licence.

Music is now banned at St Andrew's House Hotel, off Worcester Road, following the ultimatum given by one of the country's top judges, Mr Justice Neuberger.

LGH Limited and its director, Arthur Barnes, of Badgers Hill, Sheriffs Lench, Evesham, faced court action on Thursday November 15 for playing music at the venue without a Phono-graphic Performance Ltd (PPL) licence.

Barnes now risks a two-year jail sentence or a £10,000 fine if he disobeys the ban imposed on the hotel until the music licence is up-to-date.

The ban includes all forms of mechanically recorded music such as tapes, records and CDs.

The company and Barnes, who were not in court or represented, will be in contempt of court if they ignore the ban or play music at any other venue they run.

The judge was told by PPL's counsel, George Hayman, that a PPL inspector called at the premises in June and heard tunes played - including Please Forgive Me and My Oh My - even though the hotel didn't hold a music licence.

LGH has been ordered to pay costs of £1,150.