An antiquated licensing law may put a dampener on New Year's Eve revelry across the county and give licensees and police a major headache.

North Yorkshire revellers may be faced with a disappointing New Year as nightclubs enter a race against time to find a solution to a legal quandary which could restrict party time for clubbers.

Charging for dancing on Sundays is banned by the Sunday Observance Act of 1780, and North Yorkshire's clubs are facing a second difficult New Year due to complicated restrictions.

Licensed premises can remain open until 11.30pm on Christmas Eve and 1am on New Year's Eve - but cannot charge an admission fee under the 1780 act.

Possible ways round the antiquated law could see clubs setting up private members' clubs for the night, which are governed by different restrictions.

By charging a nominal "membership fee"', clubs could allow members only into the clubs and still take a fee, although PC Ashley Fitzhugh, from the police licensing office, describes this as "not in good faith".

One other proposed solution around the county would be to allow free entry into clubs but selling an obligatory goodie bag, full of silly string and party poppers, at the price they would have otherwise charged for admission.

PC Fitzhugh said it was "a pity" that last years' deregulation could not be repeated this year.

"It is a very complicated and difficult situation," he told the Evening Press.

"I don't want to stop people having fun, but we have to adhere to the law."

Selby MP John Grogan, a keen supporter of updating licensing law, is disappointed that moves to lift the Sunday Observance Act only made it as far as the House of Commons.

"This extra bureaucracy facing clubs and clubbers emphasises the need to update complicated licensing laws," he said.

"I hope that by the time New Year next falls on a Sunday there will be no need for these ridiculous manoeuvres to provide a service on what should be one of the happiest nights of the year."

Ziggy's, in Micklegate, is to close on the night. Manager Steve Rogers told the Evening Press: "It is not worth us opening.

"We are a business, not a charity, and with the high staff wages we have to pay and the extra licences we'd need, it isn't worth it."

A spokesman for Luminar Leisure, representing York's other three clubs said: "Christmas and New Year's Eve are special events in everyone's social calendar.

"As both fall on a Sunday this year we are currently in liaison with local police and licensing authorities to ensure that our discerning customers at Toffs, the Gallery and Ikon/Diva may be assured of fabulous festive occasions."