LICENSEES of pubs, restaurants and shops are putting their businesses at risk by failing to apply for new licences.

Under the new Licensing Act all businesses that serve alcohol, provide entertainment or sell hot food after 11pm have to reapply for their licence by tomorrow. There has been a rush of last-minute applications in the past few weeks but west and north Wiltshire district councils are worried that not all businesses will make it.

Those that do not meet the deadline will lose their "grandfather rights" to continue with their current opening hours.

Those that do not have a licence by November 24 when the new law comes into force will risk being closed over the busy Christmas period.

In Trowbridge alone 210 businesses have failed to apply and Trowbridge law firm Withy King Solicitors has had a last minute rush for legal advice.

Nigel Musgrove, partner at the firm, said: "In the last couple of weeks, we've had over 150 requests for help from licensees who can't get to grips with the new form."

He said the form used to be just two pages long but is now 26 pages with more than 600 boxes requesting detailed information.

Licensees are finding the applications are costing more than £2,000 but Mr Musgrove said there is no guarantee they will be processed by the time the new laws come into force.

"All licensees should check directly with the Licensing Authority to make sure that they not risking a six-month jail term or £20,000 fine for breaking the law."