Publicans are being warned they are in danger of being closed down unless they get their licensing applications in fast.

Changes in the law mean that pubs, clubs and late night takeaways have to apply for new licences directly to their local councils by August 5.

But with less than two months to go to the cut-off point only a fraction of businesses have made their applications to Bradford Council, which covers Ilkley, Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale.

And now the chairman of the old licensing panel, and the deputy chairman of the new licensing committee, Matt Palmer, is warning that the authority could be unable to cope with an avalanche of last-minute applications - leaving many businesses unable to sell alcohol when the new system comes into force in November.

So far only between 100 and 200 premises throughout the whole of the Bradford district have submitted applications - out of a total of 1,800 premises which need licences.

Now Coun Palmer is urging all those affected to get on with the paperwork - or risk having their business shut down.

He said: "It looks like lots of pubs in the Ilkley area are going to be closed by November.

"There is going to be a massive backlog of work in August right through to November - and there is a risk that if you leave your application to the last minute it will not be dealt with in time.

Coun Palmer, said the mechanisms for dealing with new applications had been in place for several months - but they simply hadn't been coming in.

He said: "The new licensing committee was established some months ago in expectation of having some cases to hear. But alas there are no cases to hear."

Coun Palmer said he could understand the reluctance to complete the paperwork and pay the required fee.

But he stressed: "I think it would be a real shame if some venues do close down even for a short time because the paper work didn't get processed. The council has limited resources, and there is a risk people might run out of time."