The sessions are being held at the Chinley Council Offices in High Peak.

Applications for the local authority issued permits that replace the old magistrates' court licences need to be completed by 6 August

All pubs, clubs, private clubs, restaurants, off-licences and late night takeaways all need to apply under 2003 legislation.

Legal action

PC Sandra Marshall, the local licensing officer said: "August may seem a long way off but the application forms take a considerable amount of time to complete and cannot be done overnight.

"We don't want people to miss the deadline and put their business in jeopardy."

If managers fail to convert their old-style licences into new ones, the premises will be in breach of regulations and trading illegally and face prosecution.