"WOMEN are like tea bags," explains Maureen Harding, "you don't know how strong they are until you put them in hot water."

For the last four months Maureen has had to be incredibly strong after unexpectedly finding herself in very hot water.

When up to 60 armour-clad police officers raided the Warehouse Nightclub where she is co-licensee her whole world turned upside down.

One minute she was looking forward to a quieter life having reached retirement age and the next minute she's being interrogated by the police about "reefers."

"What's a reefer," she asked in all honesty.

She prides herself on bringing up a family that's never been in trouble with the police and yet here she was being portrayed in some quarters as the 'Ma Baker' of a local crime dynasty.

It would be comic if the situation wasn't so serious.

In the last few months Maureen has metamorphosised from a Morecambe care assistant to city centre nightclub boss -- hiring burly security staff, organising DJs, attending drug awareness seminars, sorting the cellars, getting troublemakers ejected and generally burning the midnight oil to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Oh, and she still works caring for the elderly!

"Against all the odds I've managed to keep the Warehouse open and I feel I'm doing a very good job," says Maureen proudly.

"I've been threatened with arrest, I've had doormen tell me they've been warned off and every night I open up feeling the police are watching like hawks to pick up on anything to close me down."

"It's been a hard slog facing one obstacle after another but it only makes me more determined to keep fighting to ensure my family can earn a living. I've learnt a lot and been surprised at how things have changed. In my day, society didn't have such a big drugs problem and these days you have to be incredibly vigilant. I'm happy that the Warehouse is seen as a friendly club where people feel safe. The support we've had from everyone, people from all walks of life including some local policemen, has been tremendous. I've been amazed at how incredibly understanding of the situation people have been. They've not just read some of the headlines and assumed the worst. And I've got to know a lot of great young people at the nightclub. I must admit their music is not to my taste -- but on some nights I've really enjoyed it!"

Measuring just 5ft 2ins, Maureen is probably the country's most unlikely nightclub boss. But with a great team behind her, she's shown a steely determination that's paid off.

"One time we wouldn't let someone into the club because he had been barred. He got abusive but the next day he made the effort to come and see me to apologise for his behaviour. I don't think every nightclub boss gets that sort of treatment. I think me being here all the time is a bit like having a 'mum' around. They're all on their best behaviour!"

Next Friday Maureen faces another obstacle when the city council gets involved. The police have objected to the renewal of her public entertainment licence claiming, among other things, that she is "not a fit and proper person."

With no licence there will be no club.

Once again the water is about to get hotter and Maureen, an ordinary Morecambe mum in extraordinary circumstances, ponders her uncertain future over a cup of tea.