Nightclubs will now be able to hold commercial events on Sunday after the abolition of an ancient act by MPs.

The Deregulation (Sunday Dancing) Order 2000 was approved by parliament last Thursday night amending the Sunday Observance Act 1780. The ancient act has prohibited commercial public dancing on a Sunday for over 200 years.

Until now dances were only allowed to take place on a Sunday if entry was free or if it was run by a registered club for members only. The changes will also help charities and non-profit making bodies which will now be able to hold fund-raising dances on a Sunday.

The act comes into effect on December 28, in time for New Year's Eve, and will apply to all future Sunday nights.

Home Office minister Mike O'Brien said: "The ban on dancing dates back to before the gramophone was invented. This restriction should have been removed long ago. The changes will give greater consumer choice to the dancing public at weekends, offer charities more opportunity for fund-raising and give a major boost to the entertainment industry."