A SURGEON'S daughter, who quit her nursing career because of low wages, has begun a new career as a table dancer.

Nicola Provart earned the equivalent of half a month's wages as a student nurse in just a few hours by taking off her clothes at the controversial £1m Newcastle club For Your Eyes Only.

The 24-year-old, from Jesmond, Newcastle, said she gave up nursing in April this year after becoming depressed and unable to cope with the low wages.

She says her boyfriend was more than happy about her new part-time job, which during the club's VIP night, earned her more than £200 in just a few hours.

She is now a beauty therapy student and plans to table-dance as a part-time job. Her family and her boyfriend respect her decision.

She said: "I didn't give up nursing to do this job, but I know some people will be a little shocked about it. But really it was just that I had given up nursing because I was no longer enjoying it. This has helped to give me a new direction."

Nicola dismissed protestors in the city who have targeted the club as being demeaning to women. She said: "They stood outside protesting that we were being exploited, but none of us have to do this if we don't want to. As far as I'm concerned, this is just a part-time job.

"I'm not doing anything you don't see on any beach on holiday and I don't feel exploited in any way." .

At the VIP night at the club about 100 protestors carried banners proclaiming Reclaim the Night and Respect Not Sexism. They shouted Shame on You at men leaving the club.

But For Your Eyes Only manager Stefan Bell defended the club. He said: "We appreciate people have different opinions, we expect that. We are not in the sex industry. There is no link to prostitution. If men want to come here, that's their choice. If women want to work here, that's their choice."

The club will open this week.