SPORTS and social club members across Hampshire fear their groups face ruin because of a massive increase in licensing fees.

Changes to the Licensing Act passed in Parliament earlier this year mean that small sports and social clubs are categorised in the same way as large commercial premises.

Cricketers at a club in Fareham have branded the laws as "fundamentally unjust".

Mike Vimpany, member of Fareham's Flamingo cricket Club, said his club will have to pay about £450 over five years - compared to a previous £16 fee for four years.

Mr Vimpany said: "The new fees will mean a huge rise in cost for cricket clubs and will have a devastating effect on voluntary cricket and other sports clubs both here in Hampshire and across the country.

"Whereas large commercial organisations will be able to offset fees against their sizeable profits, we will lose vital income that helps keep this club alive."

A New Forest golf club has been told that the cost of its annual licence to sell beer, wine and spirits has risen by £1,100.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, which came into force in February, Dunwood Manor Golf Club will be forced to pay £1,145 a year if it wants to serve alcohol to members in its clubhouse.

It has previously paid just £16 a year.

Golfers fear the added expense will lead to an increase in green fees at the 18-hole Shootash Hull course.

The issue has been highlighted in Parliament.

According to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport the rise in fees is simply the result of a realisation that they have been too low for many years.

Kate Pike at the department said: "We have had to set new fees for everybody who has a licence, whether it be for drinking, dancing or music. Under the new system sports clubs will have to pay more than they are at the moment.

"Fees come in eight different brackets and are determined by the rateable value of the building. The lowest fee is £70 a year. If the Licensing Act had not been going through fees would have had to go up anyway."

Has your club been affected by the steep rise? Call our newsdesk on 023 8042 4522 or e-mail newsdesk@soton-echo.co.uk