A LAP-DANCING club has opened its doors on Redcar High Street.

Business partners Chris Neil and Ernie Bennett own and run the Angels lap-dancing club in Stockton.

They have opened the second Angels club in the former Club Eden on Redcar High Street at a cost of about £100,000.

Mr Neil said the Redcar club is open from 8pm until 2am and has dancers on stage all night while drinks are served.

Between 15 and 20 dancers will be offering lap dances at a table or in a private cubicle at an extra cost.

Mr Neil stressed that the girls' safety was a top priority which was why security guards had been employed and CCTV cameras installed.

He said there were a lot of misconceptions about lap-dancing clubs, which he believed were increasing in popularity throughout the country.

"People think they are seedy and dingy," he said. "The reality is, it is just a different type of entertainment.

"We have consulted fully with the police who know us because of our Stockton outlet.

"Most of the people we have talked to in the Redcar area think it is a great idea," he said.

"We did have a bit of adverse reaction when we opened in Stockton, but the people there have been pleasantly surprised."