CHURCH leaders have slammed the trend for erotic lap dancers after it was revealed that an East Lancashire nightspot was considering introducing the entertainment.

Staff at Brassington's, Altham, have approached council and police licensing bosses about the possibility of starting lap-dancing shows at the Burnley Road club.

No formal application has been received but the inquiry has prompted council chiefs to draw up a list of rules covering any ventures in the borough. And police have admitted that, although they are not happy with the proposed scheme, it is not illegal.

Members of Hyndburn Council's licensing sub-committee are told in a report that lap-dancing "involves scantily-clad ladies dancing at individual tables for the benefit of customers" and "it is felt this constitutes entertainment."

But furious religious bosses have voiced their outrage at the plans. A spokesman for the Blackburn Diocese said: "All denominations in the Christian Church and our friends in other faith communities would deplore any activities to cheapen and degrade or humiliate women.

"The danger of lap-dancing clubs is that they turn women into impersonal objects rather than valuing them as people with individual rights and God-given personalities. These clubs contradict a view of all people loved and valued by God which Jesus showed and the Christian church affirms." The matter is set to be discussed by the licensing sub-committee at a meeting tomorrow. A member of staff at Brassington's, formerly Martholme Grange, today confirmed management had been "looking into" the possibility of applying for a lap-dancing licence.

The woman, who would not give her name, said: "We had a ladies' night recently and I asked our manager about the possibility of running a gentlemen's night.

"It's something we're looking at for the future. We are just throwing different ideas around and making inquiries about what the rules would be."

The list of house rules proposed by the council, if the venture goes ahead, include no physical contact between dancers and customers and no mixing with customers before or after shows.

Under 18s will not be allowed into shows and all performers must also be over 18. Swearing and "vulgar actions" will also be outlawed, while dancers will be vetted for drinking and drug taking and must sign a rule sheet.

Hyndburn's licensing sergeant Brian Hopwood said lap-dancing at Brassington's would be "unique" to the borough and it was a matter for the council.

He said: "We're not happy about this but there's not really a lot we can do. It's not illegal."

"The New Top Club, in Clayton-le-Moors, had topless barmaids for a while and recently finished but that was done by membership."

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