You can't play in the pubs. And you can't play on the streets.

This from tomorrow's Sunderland Echo (don't ask - I've got contacts):

A GERMAN busker has been back to court to face charges of playing his bagpipes without a licence.

Gert Genisser, who has been performing for Sunderland shoppers for more than a decade, has vowed to fight what he calls unjust laws which prevent entertainers from earning a crust on the streets.

The travelling musician faces three charges relating to playing his Spanish bagpipes, which he does in numerous places across the country to fund his nomadic lifestyle.

He has pleaded not guilty to busking without a licence in Crowtree Road on August 6.

He has also denied a charge of causing harassment on August 8, and a breach of the peace on the following day.

A two-day trial has been fixed to start on February 16.

Originally from the Black Forest region of Germany, Mr Genisser used to live in Teepee Valley, a village of teepees on a Welsh farm, and has a 22-year-old daughter who was born in a cave.

The 43-year-old is now based in Morecambe, Lancashire, and travels Europe in his camper van, which he parks in Roker when on Wearside.