A VISIT to a North-East police club by former brothel keeper Cynthia Payne, alias Madam Cyn, has been cancelled after complaints from staff.

Ms Payne was invited to speak at South Shields police social club earlier this month.

But straight-laced staff objected to the club's choice of entertainment and Ms Payne's visit was cancelled.

Not one to be deterred, Ms Payne re-arranged the event, and yesterday arrived in the region ahead of her talk on Saturday.

Ms Payne, who shot to fame when her London bordello was raided in the 1970s, will be staying with her friends, Darlington FC chairman , George Reynolds, and his wife, Susan, while in the area.

The three met on the Esther Rantzen television show and have since become firm friends. Ms Payne was last in County Durham to spend time with the Reynolds at their Witton Hall mansion, near Bishop Auckland, last Christmas.

It is believed Ms Payne was booked to appeal to female members of police staff and the wives of officers, but someone within the force claimed her appearance was unsuitable.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "Cabaret artist and after-dinner speaker Cynthia Payne was booked to appear at South Shields police social club. However, an objection was raised and after consideration it was decided to cancel."

The club is used by serving and retired officers and their families.

Despite objections to her appearance in the region, Ms Payne said she was glad to be back in the North-East.

She said: "It seems someone was worried about what I might say and complained about me performing at the South Shields club."

Ms Payne will now address an audience of wives of CID officers at a restaurant in South Shields