New rules which came into force on Monday require all bouncers to be trained and registered before working.

But delays in sending out certificates in Swindon and Bristol mean many still do not have the paperwork they need to do their jobs.

Licensing officers blame the delay on administrative problems at the new Security Industry Authority (SIA).

They also said the estimated time needed to process badge applications was "unrealistic" .

'Safety net'

Lionel Starling, Licensing Officer for Swindon Borough Council, said: "We have 383 door staff on our books at the moment.

"Only around 30 of those will have national licences by the official start date on 13 September.

"Our legal powers run out on that date and, as much as we would like to provide a safety net, we are not allowed to do so."

Mary Hennessy, assistant director of marketing at the SIA, said much of the problems were down to doormen leaving their applications to the last minute.

Enforcement date

She admitted there had been some hold-ups in sending out information packs in the South West and Wales.

But the SIA extended the enforcement date by three weeks to reflect these delays.

Ms Hennessy said doormen had been able to apply for the scheme from the beginning of the year.

"The biggest challenge is people not getting back to us, not sending back application forms in sufficient time in order to receive their licences," she said.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said the force was aware of the problems and was unlikely to act against doormen who could prove they had applied for a licence.