IT is, of course, preposterous that Blackburn with Darwen Council will allow a lap-dancing club to open -- albeit with the condition that the dancers must keep their micro-knickers on -- while at the same time getting ready to shut down a nearby caf offering far more wholesome fare.

Yet that's what they are set to do tomorrow to ex-aerospace worker Ian Finch, who ploughed his redundancy pay into a franchise for a Puccino's caf which he opened in town-centre King William Street.

Why? He didn't get planning permission. Oh, the sinner!

But, hang on, Mr Finch was told that in most parts of the country shops can change into food outlets like his without planning consent. But Blackburn with Darwen Council is an exception to the rule in insisting that permission in King William Street can only be granted for retail uses.

Yes, I know Mr Finch sells stuff, but this is local government logic we are talking about. Even so, he is no more in contravention of the streets retail-only rule than the nine banks and building societies already there -- for one of which the council actually waived the rule -- or, if you ask me, the recently-opened caf in next-door Marks and Spencer's store, the burger stall just opposite or the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant only a few yards away.

It's bad enough the council being prepared to take away anyone's livelihood, but doing so in the name of a policy that had more holes in it that the town's roads is bloody-minded and cruel -- and quite contrary to what the public wants.

Mr Finch should appeal -- for he's got a precedent-crammed case that would wipe the floor with this crass council.