NEWPORT Centre has been illegally hosting rock concerts and shows for over a year, a committee heard yesterday.

Council officials failed to renew the public entertainment licence - which expired in June 2003.

A licensing committee meeting heard yesterday that the licence had been "allowed to lapse".

That lapse meant the council could have been fined £20,000 for putting on crowd-pulling events at the city's top venue.

Big acts that have played in the unlicensed centre include Van Morrison, The Stranglers, Marillion and The Charlatans.

And councillors on the licensing committee heard that it was "very likely" Chinese New Year celebrations, the city sports awards and the annual civic dinner were all illegal.

Councillor Allan Morris, chairman of licensing, said: "I'm extremely displeased.

"This is not a pleasant position for the committee, the council or the leisure department.

"The centre is one of ours and it's our prime spot. What's important is that it doesn't happen again."

The licence covers music, singing, dancing or entertainment, and ensures premises are checked over by police and firefighters.

Licensing officials were told on July 6, 2004, that the centre was unlicensed. But the council continued to hold events at the centre - the latest being a lunchtime recital on August 4.

After the meeting licensing committee member Councillor Peter Davies, of Stow Hill ward, said: "I'm appalled. I expect the council to ensure that all premises are properly licensed. It sets a terrible example."

The leisure department applied for a licence on July 29, and yesterday the licensing committee agreed to license the centre. It should be valid for the next event on September 1.

Councillor Noel Trigg, deputy chairman of licensing, said: "Twelve months without a licence. How could we let that happen?"

Haydn Ames, sports and leisure manager, said: "It was an oversight on the leisure department's behalf and we do apologise."

He said staff are now using a database system to alert them to the need to update licences.

A council spokeswoman said the licence did not affect their public liability insurance.