THE prospect of Blackburn's first lap-dance club opening up has raised concerns from many people, not least health bosses.

They have concerns that it will send out the wrong message to people.

Dr Jim Paris, Blackburn's director of public health, said: "While the council can ensure strong management and control inside a premises, there is also the wider issue to consider of what message it sends out.

"At a time when we are trying to promote safe sex and tackle teenage pregnancies, it will send out a contradictory message.

"I am sure it will have an impact on the way sexuality is expressed.

"My concern is that you will have men who have been teased and tantalised coming out of this bar at night, meeting young women who are maybe behaving differently because they have had something to drink and, well, I wouldn't like my daughters to be in the town centre in such an environment.

"That is my major concern which has to be considered because it raises questions about safety of people, particularly women, in the town centre. "Blackburn is a different sort of town to Preston and Blackpool. It is smaller and I think the effects of a venue like this could be greater."

Councillors have also expressed concern at what effect it might have on the town.

Conservative councillor Graham Pound said: "I think it would have a negative effect on the town centre and, as the doctor said, have an impact on the health, both physically and morally, of the borough."

His Lib Dem colleague, Coun Charles Mills, said: "How do we know we won't end up with pictures of nude women across the town?

"I think it is the start of a slippery slope and not something we should be accepting."

The Connexions youth advice service, which has a base next door to the first lap-dancing bar, in Duke Street, Blackburn, has also expressed concern at the effect the presence of lap-dancing could have in the borough.

John Stonehouse, operations director, said: "It is degrading for women."