THE company behind Blackburn's former lap dancing club faces being disbanded.

Proceedings to strike Hopecroft Design off the official list of limited companies has been launched by Companies House, the department responsible for keeping a register of firms.

Hopecroft Design ran The Velvet Lounge, which opened between Blackburn College and a youth advice centre in Duke Street, in July 2003.

It closed in February this year, and the building was repossessed soon after. Its licence has also expired.

Because Blackburn-based Hopecroft Design is a limited company, it is obliged to file accounts regularly.

The company, set up in November 2001, was due to file accounts in September 2003 but failed to do so.

That triggered the 'strike off' action, which, once completed, would result in the company's bank account being frozen and any assets being seized by the Crown. A spokesman for the Government department said: "We have begun proceedings to strike the company off. It has been advertised and there has been an objection, which means the action is suspended for six months."

It is not known whether the objection was made by a company creditors, or by the firm's sole director, Darwen woman Georgia Elliott.

Since the club closed, the company secretary has also resigned, according to files lodged at Companies House.

Janina Moon, of Hargreaves Road, Oswaldtwistle, had held that post since it opened. Prior to being a lap-dancing club, the building was used as a nightclub run by Miss Moon's son, Scott.

Miss Elliott claimed the arrival of the Velvet Lounge would help boost the town's night-time economy. She could not be contacted today.