GEORGIA Elliott, licensee of the new lap-dancing bar, The Velvet Lounge, in Blackburn, is adamant her bar will not lower the tone.

She said: "I have spent a lot of time looking at other bars in places like Manchester and in most cases you would not know they were there.

"They are downstairs or out of the way.

"People know they are there but they are discreet. Ours would be discreet. It is there if people want to use it."

Her legal advisor, Anthony Lyons, said: "What has been seen here is a business opportunity by Georgia.

"She believes there is a demand for such a venue. It will not lower the tone. If anything, it might improve the street because the building, currently painted red, will be repainted black and cream so will be much more tasteful.

"There will be no pictures outside or anything like that and people will only use if they want to.

"It will be a tasteful venue frequented by people mainly in their 20s and business people. That is what we have seen in Manchester and the other places we have looked at."

In fact, Georgia believes it will prove to be an asset to the town.

She said: "It will provide employment. The other places I have been show that people pay for themselves through university by lap-dancing.

"They can earn up to £1,000 per week. It is an upmarket venue I am planning, which will attract new business to the town and be carefully managed."

It is a point picked up by lap-dancing supremo Peter Stringfellow who insists that, far from lowering the tone, his clubs - including one in London's West End, give up and coming stars the chance to grab the limelight. Up-and-coming singer Lucy Carr, pictured, was a former dancer at his club.

It isn't the first time that sexy dancing has caused a stir in East Lancashire. The Boulevard pub in Blackburn and the Little White Horse in Burnley have both tried topless staff.

Managers at both venues said it was in response to public demand.

Mr Lyons said: "At the end of the day, people who don't approve don't need to attend."