WHAT a Carry On! Elderly film fans have been forced to cancel plans to screen the classic comedy series at their care home, after they were told they did not have a licence.

Castle Point Council told residents at the Lawns Court sheltered housing complex, off the Lawns, Benfleet, they were not licensed to show DVDs and videos in the building’s communal room.

An internal investigation by the authority found none of its eight sheltered homes had the required Public Video Screening Licence.

The council has refused to stump up the annual £99 fee for the document.

The news has disappointed Lawns resident Les Allen, 81.

He had recently bought a new DVD player, so a group could enjoy films in the communal room.

Mr Allen has already held a screening of hit period drama the King’s Speech. He was planning to show his box set of Carry On! films, featuring stars Barbara Windsor and Sid James, to residents next.

He said: “Obviously, we can’t do any of this now.

“The DVD player is just standing in my front room.

“This licence has been required for years. Why has the council’s legal department only just realised it now?

“Our feeling is if anyone should be paying for this, it should be the council.

“It would only cost £800 for a licence for every home in Castle Point. If they’re that hard up then we’re in real trouble.”

Showing a DVD or video to a group of people outside of the home is legally regarded as a public showing.

Therefore, it is in breach of copyright for films purchased or hired for domestic use.

However, this does not stop residents at the sheltered complex from watching their favourite films on the TV.

Residents are also free to watch the DVDs in the privacy of their own flats.

A spokeswoman for the council said the residents could pay for a licence out of their annual communal items fund, which provides residents’ with £250 a year to spend on improvements.

However, Mr Allen said: “There’s more important things to spend the money on.

“We need a new cooker for our kitchen and the paving slabs outside and my front door are all loose.

“I think I will probably end up paying for a new licence myself.”