DISCOUNT UK has been banned from playing music by a top judge after it aired Christmas songs without a licence.

‘Walking In The Air’, ‘When A Child Is Born’ and ‘Saviour’s Day’ were among the songs being played illegally at the discount shop on Riverside Retail Park.

Shops need a Phonographic Performance Licence to use records, tapes or CDs.

To play music without one infringes copyright laws.

At the High Court yesterday, Thursday, Mr Justice Peter Smith banned Karen Evans and Poundworld Retail Ltd, trading as Discount UK, from playing recorded music.

The ban will remain in place until the licence - required in bars, clubs, hotels, gyms, offices and schools - is purchased.

Discount UK will also pay legal costs of £2,608.

The court heard that failure to obey the order could result in fines of £10,000 or six months in prison.

Inspectors from PPL attended the store on December 20 last year following a tip-off music was being played there.

Ben Longstaff, counsel for PPL, said that letters were then sent to Poundworld advising them to buy a license.

Following the hearing, Clare Goldie, spokesman for PPL, said: "PPL is the UK-based music licensing company which licences recorded music for broadcast, online and public performance use.

“Established in 1934, PPL carries out this role on behalf of thousands of record company and performer members.

"Public Performance licences are issued by PPL to hundreds of thousands of businesses and organisations from all sectors across the UK who play recorded music to their staff or customers and who therefore require a licence by law.

“These can range from bars, nightclubs, shops and hotels to offices, factories, gyms, schools, universities and local authorities.

"After the deduction of PPL’s running costs, all revenue collected is distributed to members.

“PPL does not retain a profit for its services.

"With over 6,500 members who are record companies or other recorded music rights holders and 50,000 performer members, PPL has a large and diverse membership.

“Members include major record labels and globally successful performers, as well as many independent labels, sole traders and session musicians ranging from orchestral players to percussionists and singers – all of whom are entitled to be fairly paid for the use of their recordings and performances.”