A LAP dancing club has won permission to extend its opening hours, despite residents' claims it will bring street prostitution to the area.

Stockton-on-Tees council yesterday gave the go-ahead to longer hours at "Angels" despite objections from residents and members of the Salvation Army.

Owner Chris Neil, who runs the Fox Covert and the George and Dragon in Yarm, opened the Dovecot Street club two months ago after a £150,000 refurbishment.

Residents from Dovecot Street and the neighbouring Bright Street, Russell Street and Mill Lane all objected to the plans and a petition with more than 300 signatures was handed over.

They said the club would encourage street prostitutes to tout for business on the edge of Stockton town centre and would increase the amount of "undesirable characters" in the area, classed as an area of deprivation.

Sacha Bedding, manager of nearby Stockton International family centre, said that throughout the day and night children and other vulnerable people came to the centre and he was concerned about their safety.

But police solicitor Gerard Tompkinson said: "We know there is no street prostitution in Stockton-on-Tees."

Mr Neil said that he had CCTV cameras both inside and outside the club, as well as security staff.

He added that there was no contact between the girls and the clients, and the dances were restricted to three minutes, with no propositioning, swearing or shouting.

Mr Neil stressed that he did not allow rowdy clientele inside.

He told The Northern Echo: "I think the club is going to be a success, but it is early days."