Elvis has left the seafront

Impersonator Jack Bradford was singing on the promenade near the Grand Pier when an employee from the council's tourist department told him to leave because he did not have a licence.

The 65-year-old, of County Cork, Ireland, said: "I think it is high handed and silly. A young lad aged about 13 had just asked me to sing 'Don't Cry Daddy' when a lady came along and banned me, so he never got to hear his song.

"I have performed all over the UK and Europe for 45 years and never known anything like it.

"There were some people collecting for multiple sclerosis by the Grand Pier and I asked them if they would like me to sing near them.

"They said yes and were very grateful because it helped them collect more money than they were before.

"The hard-hearted official came out of the Winter Gardens and told me I would need to buy a licence to perform and they had had complaints about me.

"I had only sung four songs and all I saw was members of the public singing along, dancing and smiling.

"In the end I thought it was unfair to the charity to argue with her so I left. I wasn't making money, I was just entertaining people and I would have thought the tourism department should encourage entertainment."

A council spokesman said: "You need a licence to make any public entertainment performances whether you are collecting money or not, because otherwise you could get anyone performing. We need to make sure the content is appropriate and controlled and that the performer has insurance."

(Elvis News/Odd Spot, Source: The Weston & Somerset Mercury)