One of Oxford's most popular live music venues is appealing for customers to put their hands in their pockets or it may be forced to close.

The Exeter Hall, in Oxford Road, now known as The X, is involved in a long-running dispute with the Performing Rights Society over performances by bands of cover versions at the pub.

Manager Al De Boss has until Friday, May 18, when the case is next due in court, to pay about £3,400 for what she claims is a negligible amount of music performed in the pub written by other artists.

She said: "The Performing Rights Society billed me for playing lots and lots of cover music, but we don't do cover music, or so little it's not reflected in the bill.

"They've insisted on getting this money and it's been going in and out of court for the past two years. We have reached the stage of pay or else.

"I'm not prepared to put my hand in my pocket again so we are doing fundraisers to try and pay for it.

"Lots of musicians are putting various things on and volunteering to help out. Basically all the free days we haven't booked in the diary are being filled up with fundraising events.

"You do kind of reach a stage of really not giving a damn any more. The PRS serves a function and it's perfectly right that artists should be paid for anyone covering their song and making money out of it.

"But there is a world of difference between that and somebody sat in their bedroom, stretching themselves, learning someone's song and having the courage to try it in front of an audience. Live music is what we do, we don't do karaoke. The whole point is to allow people to come and do their own material."

There will be a special covers only night on April 8 when artists will be asked to take advantage of the fact they are paying to do covers and sing other band's songs.

The Exeter Hall underwent a major revamp last September when Miss De Boss spent £500,000 improving the venue.

Gary Good, who runs the Music Box in Cowley Road and is a member of band Drug Squad, said: "Alison's put a lot of time and effort into getting this place working.

"It's one of the better live venues in Oxford. A lot of places are going, the Elm Tree, in Cowley Road, has closed and the Market Tavern is closing too so we need to keep the rest open."

Information on the events is available at website www.thex.co.uk