Plans to force churches to pay a licence fee to stage concerts and entertainment pose a serious threat to the cultural life of Wallingford and surrounding villages, say church and arts leaders.

The director of music at Wallingford's St Mary's and St Leonard's churches, Robert Webb, warned that proposals to charge churches hosting non-religious events could kill off amateur arts performances in the town.

"The worst case scenario is that Wallingford churches would not be available for concerts," he said.

Under the Licensing Bill introduced in Parliament this month, the Government plans to charge churches a one-off entertainment licence fee of between £100 and £500, plus an annual fee of £50-£100.

Mr Webb said: "This is a threat to the cultural life in the town and to music-making by all groups."

There are similar concerns over events staged at Dorchester Abbey. Canon John Crowe, rector of the Dorchester team ministry, said: "This is a naughty stealth tax."

He added: "We have been asked to make our churches available for secular community events and then this other lot come asking for money."

A spokesman from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the fees were needed to pay for safety inspections and enforcement.