What a Sad Bloody Country we are!!!
A singing granny was ordered to fork out for a live music licence - to keep belting out tunes behind the counter of the corner shop where she works.
Sandra Burt started serenading customers after the Performing Rights Society warned her bosses they would have to pay an annual fee of £80 to keep the grocery store radio on.
But despite shoppers loving the 56-year-old's music, she was told she must pay live performance fees costing up to "four figures" or be hit with a huge fine.
Sandra, who has worked at A&T Food Store in Clackmannan for four years, said: "I love singing and it's cruel that the PRS would try to stop me.
"I sing all the time - it's a spontaneous, happy thing. What's the world coming to when Big Brother wants to charge you for singing a wee tune?"
But Gareth Kelly, music sales advisor for the PRS, accused Sandra of getting up to "mischief" to dodge the radio licence fee.
He said: "Using any copyright material in your store, without paying for it, is illegal.
"It doesn't matter whether you're singing a Robbie Williams track or listening to a Robbie Williams track, you still have to pay for it. She could be fined for not having a live performance licence and if the fine isn't paid, could potentially be taken to court."
But last night the PRS backtracked on their killjoy decision and apologised to Sandra. A spokesman said: "If a shop owner wants to sing to their customers then of course we wouldn't require them to take out a licence."
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